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

• adviser
• advisor
• consigliere
• consultant
• counsel

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

There are other solutions for debt, including a debt management plan through a credit counselor, debt settlement or a consolidation loan. —Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025

Erickson, the show’s first openly autistic player, opened this week’s episode by consoling Kinne’s ally, substance abuse counselor Mary Zheng. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025

Other presenters include school psychologist Kofi Shuck and counselor Kizawanda Olowe, both of H-F H.S.; students from Bring Change 2 Mind; Terri McKean of NAMI Chicago; representatives from SunCloud Health; Sarah Whitson of the Crisis Text Line; and comedian and parent Correy Bell. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025

The resulting cuts have affected therapists, counselors and administrative roles. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 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