B2 noun Neutral

counselor

/ˈkaʊn.səl.ər/

A professional trained to provide guidance, support, and advice on personal, social, psychological, or career-related issues. In a legal context, it can also refer to a person who conducts a case in court or gives legal advice.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I decided to talk to a school counselor about my anxiety regarding university applications.

I decided to talk to a school counselor about my anxiety regarding university applications.

2

The victim was referred to a trauma counselor to assist with their recovery process.

The victim was referred to a trauma counselor to assist with their recovery process.

3

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you should really just go see a counselor.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you should really just go see a counselor.

Word Family

Noun
counselor
Verb
counsel
Adjective
counseling
Related
counseling
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'sel' in counselor as standing for 'Self-Help'. A counselor helps you help yourself.

Quick Quiz

After the stressful event, the company provided a grief _______ to help employees talk through their feelings.

Correct!

The correct answer is: counselor

Examples

1

I decided to talk to a school counselor about my anxiety regarding university applications.

everyday

I decided to talk to a school counselor about my anxiety regarding university applications.

2

The victim was referred to a trauma counselor to assist with their recovery process.

formal

The victim was referred to a trauma counselor to assist with their recovery process.

3

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you should really just go see a counselor.

informal

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you should really just go see a counselor.

4

The research highlights the critical role of the counselor in facilitating behavioral change among patients.

academic

The research highlights the critical role of the counselor in facilitating behavioral change among patients.

5

The firm hired a professional counselor to manage the outplacement services for departing executives.

business

The firm hired a professional counselor to manage the outplacement services for departing executives.

Word Family

Noun
counselor
Verb
counsel
Adjective
counseling
Related
counseling

Common Collocations

guidance counselor A person who helps students with academic or personal problems.
marriage counselor A professional who helps couples resolve relationship issues.
camp counselor A person, usually a young adult, who supervises children at a summer camp.
legal counselor An attorney or lawyer who provides legal advice.
seek a counselor To look for professional help or advice.

Common Phrases

legal counsel

Legal advice or a lawyer representing a client.

wise counsel

Very good and sensible advice.

to keep one's own counsel

To keep one's thoughts, plans, or opinions to oneself.

Often Confused With

counselor vs councilor

A councilor is a member of a local government council, while a counselor provides advice or therapy.

counselor vs consul

A consul is a government official living in a foreign city to protect their country's citizens and interests.

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Usage Notes

In American English, 'counselor' is spelled with one 'l', whereas in British English, it is spelled 'counsellor'. It is used broadly for anyone whose job is to give advice, but it most commonly refers to mental health or school professionals.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often misspell the word by confusing it with 'councilor' (government official) or 'council' (a group of people). Remember that 'counsel' relates to advice, while 'council' relates to a meeting or committee.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'sel' in counselor as standing for 'Self-Help'. A counselor helps you help yourself.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'conseillier', from Latin 'consiliarius', from 'consilium' meaning plan, opinion, or consultation.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Commonly used with the verbs 'seek', 'see', or 'consult'
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Cultural Context

In the United States, school counselors play a vital role in the education system, helping students with everything from mental health to university applications.

Quick Quiz

After the stressful event, the company provided a grief _______ to help employees talk through their feelings.

Correct!

The correct answer is: counselor

Related Words

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C1

To actively challenge, subvert, or dismantle cisnormative assumptions and institutional gender binaries. This verb describes the proactive process of advocating for gender-diverse perspectives by questioning established social norms.

intermovy

C1

The dynamic and reciprocal movement or exchange occurring between different groups, systems, or states. It specifically highlights the fluid transition and interplay of elements as they shift from one context to another.

exmarist

C1

A person who was formerly a member of the Marist Brothers or the Society of Mary, or a former student who attended a Marist educational institution. It refers to someone who maintains an identity or connection with the Marist tradition after leaving the formal organization.

unmanfy

C1

To deprive someone or something of traditionally masculine qualities, strength, or vigor. It is often used figuratively to describe the process of making a person or a concept appear weak, vulnerable, or less assertive than expected.

obvolvence

C1

The state or condition of being wrapped, enveloped, or enshrouded by a surrounding layer. It is used both literally in biological contexts to describe a covering and metaphorically to describe being obscured or hidden.

oblucation

C1

To render something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible, especially through the use of complex language or ambiguous details. It involves intentionally making a concept difficult to perceive or understand to hide the truth or avoid directness.

overprivine

C1

A formal noun referring to the state or condition of possessing excessive social or economic privilege, often to the point where it diminishes one's ability to empathize with others. It describes a structural or individual abundance of advantages that creates a disconnect from the realities of the less fortunate.

intrapaty

C1

Refers to activities, discussions, or conflicts occurring within a single political party rather than between different parties. It describes the internal dynamics, factionalism, or cohesion among members of the same political organization.

subvadful

C1

To subvadful means to perform a comprehensive and intensive verification of the fundamental layers of a system, argument, or physical structure. It implies a deep-dive analysis that goes beyond surface-level inspection to ensure that hidden foundations are entirely secure and functional.

dislegly

C1

A test-specific term used to describe something that is not permitted by law or established rules. It characterizes actions, behaviors, or documents that violate a formal code or legal standard within a controlled linguistic simulation.

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