Counsel
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 The exchange of opinions and advice especially in legal issues; consultation. countable, uncountable
"Bleſſed is that man that hath not walked in the counſaile of the vngodly: nor ſtand in the waye of ſynners, and hath not ſit in the ſeate of ſkornefull."
- 2 something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action wordnet
- 3 Exercise of judgment; prudence. countable, uncountable
"They all confess, therefore, in the working of that first cause, that counsel is used."
- 4 a lawyer who pleads cases in court wordnet
- 5 Advice; guidance. countable, uncountable
"I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised."
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- 6 Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan. countable, uncountable
"The counsel of the Lord standeth forever."
- 7 A lawyer, as in King's Counsel (KC) or Queen's Counsel (QC). countable, uncountable
- 1 To give advice, especially professional advice, to (somebody). transitive
"The lawyer counselled his client to remain silent."
- 2 give advice to wordnet
- 3 To recommend (a course of action). transitive
"I would counsel prudence in this matter."
Example
More examples"Recently numerous groups have offered counsel."
Etymology
From Middle English counseil, conseil, from Old French conseil, from Latin cōnsilium; akin to cōnsulō (“take counsel, consult”).
From Middle English counseilen, from Old French conseiller, from Latin cōnsilior, from cōnsilium.
Related phrases
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.