consigliere
Americannoun
-
consiglieri
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of consigliere
Italian, from Latin consiliārius , from consilium advice
Explanation
In the mafia, a consigliere is a trusted confidant. You can also use the word to describe someone you can count on to keep your secrets and give really good advice. If your best friend is incredibly wise and loyal, she's your consigliere — your advisor and counselor. In organized crime, a consigliere functions the same way, as a trusted, high-ranking member of the crime family. A mafia boss relies on his consigliere the way you rely on your BFF. Consigliere is an Italian word meaning "advisor," from the Latin root consilium, "advice."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"You're the president's consigliere," the Democrat from Rhode Island said.
From Barron's ● May 19, 2026
Duvall was known for numerous tough-guy roles over an impressive six-decade career, such as the mafia consigliere in The Godfather and the forceful army officer in Apocalypse Now.
From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2026
Jackson says his role behind the scenes was that of an advisor on all things hip-hop and a consigliere in securing interviews, noting that he wasn’t on hand when they took place.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2025
Some say that it’s because her consigliere, Corey Lewandowski, who rarely leaves her side and is said to be operating as co-secretary, has alienated everyone in the White House.
From Salon ● Dec. 11, 2025
She is Roberts’ manager and consigliere, and the pairing has paid off nicely.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2024
As soon as he could hand it over, though, he did so, giving it to Alfredo Pernas, one of his most trusted consiglieri on Argentina’s staff, to do whatever he needed to do with it.
From New York Times ● Jul. 9, 2021
Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandelson, Tony Blair’s consiglieri, hawk communications and strategy advice about the world.
From Economist ● Jun. 23, 2016
Conspicuously absent from the piece are former Vice President Dick Cheney and David Addington, his consiglieri, who are generally considered to be the masterminds behind the intensely secretive program.
From Salon ● Dec. 8, 2014
You know, like in The Godfather, when they were discussing the difference between peacetime consiglieri and wartime consiglieri?
From Slate ● Jun. 12, 2014
One track – the frankly rocking "Why I Love You" – finds the overgrown apprentice and his former master twitching sleeplessly, trading lines, wondering which of their trusted consiglieri will deliver the coup de grace.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 13, 2011
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
