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 of counselor

• adviser
• consultant

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

The Education Department implements widely popular programs that, among other things, protect students with disabilities, help schools hire counselors and make college more affordable. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026

Grief counselors exist for the purpose of helping people work through their varied emotions during times of loss. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026

Cile, 8 years old at the time, was one of the 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a venerable Christian summer camp for girls, who perished in the flood. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026

Twenty-seven campers and counselors died in the flood in the Central Texas town of Hunt. —Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026

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