counselor

[ koun-suh-ler ]

noun

1. a person who counsels; adviser.
2. a faculty member who advises students on personal and academic problems, career choices, and the like.
3. an assistant at a children's camp, often a high school or college student, who supervises a group of children or directs a particular activity, as nature study or a sport.
4. a lawyer, especially a trial lawyer; counselor-at-law.

   Synonyms: advocate, counsel, barrister, solicitor, attorney

5. an official of an embassy or legation who ranks below an ambassador or minister.

Other Words From

• counse·lor·ship especially British, counsel·lor·ship noun
• pre·counsel·lor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of counselor¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English counseiler, counseillour, from Anglo-French cunseiler, cunseiliour, Old French conseilleor, conseillier; counsel, -eur, -er ², -or ²

Example Sentences

The first is a verbal reminder to the student, followed by a “referral to a counselor” and then outreach to a parent or guardian.

From Los Angeles Times

Kellyanne Conway pushed the idea of “alternative facts” in an interview almost eight years ago as then-President Trump’s senior counselor.

From Slate

County cities — longtime teacher Karla Griego was ahead of school counselor Graciela Ortiz.

From Los Angeles Times

Iino is counselor and faculty member at El Camino College.

From Los Angeles Times

We suggest gifting the soil meditation experience, which costs $75 and is hosted by shop owner Barbara Lawson, who is also a certified grief counselor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advocate
• instructor
• mentor
• teacher