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

Some may also do what grief counselors call continuing bonds. — Naomi Barr, Flow Space, 22 Oct. 2026

Filling the room were people from organizations who helped those who came out of the criminal justice system, as counselors or lawyers who worked to get criminal records expunged, along with the beneficiaries of those efforts. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

The boys recounted their experiences to camp counselors, who were dismissive of their complaints according to court records reviewed by The Star. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

David Zervos, a counselor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, dismissed the warning. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Oct. 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