counselor

noun

coun·​sel·​or ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər 

variants or counsellor

1

: a person who gives advice or counseling

a marriage counselor

2

: lawyer

specifically : one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court

The defendant conferred with his counselor.

3

: one who has supervisory duties at a summer camp

The counselor led the campers on a hike through the woods.

counselorship

ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• consultant
• adviser
• counsel
• advisor
• expert

Examples of counselor in a Sentence

He works as a camp counselor.

a young couple going to a marriage counselor

Recent Examples on the Web

He was modeled after Christian camp counselors that had a positive impact on your teenage self? —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025

Principal Angela Brown wrote to families Monday that nine Dixon Unified School District mental health staff members, including mental health clinicians, counselors, psychologists and additional support staff would be at the school this week. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025

The workshops, which happen throughout September but are available to view online, pair religious leaders with a licensed mental health counselor. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025

Kaley Chiles, a licensed counselor in the state, challenged the law on free speech grounds and has rejected the term conversion therapy. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see counsel entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing counselor

• counselor-at-law
• guidance counselor

Rhymes for counselor

• councillor
• councilor
• counsellor

Kids Definition

counselor

noun

coun·​sel·​or

variants or counsellor

ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər 

1

: a person who gives advice

guidance counselor

2

: lawyer

3

: a supervisor of campers or activities at a summer camp

Medical Definition

counselor

noun

coun·​sel·​or

variants or counsellor

ˈkau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər 

: a person engaged in counseling

Legal Definition

counselor

noun

coun·​se·​lor

ˈkau̇n-sə-lər

: counsel