counsel
[ koun-suhl ]
/ ˈkaʊn səl /
Save This Word!
noun, plural coun·sel for 3.
verb (used with object), coun·seled, coun·sel·ing or (especially British) coun·selled, coun·sel·ling.
to give advice to; advise.
to urge the adoption of, as a course of action; recommend (a plan, policy, etc.): He counseled patience during the crisis.
verb (used without object), coun·seled, coun·sel·ing or (especially British) coun·selled, coun·sel·ling.
to give counsel or advice.
to get or take counsel or advice.
OTHER WORDS FOR counsel
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Idioms about counsel
keep one's own counsel, to conceal one's ideas or opinions; keep silent.
take counsel, to ask for or exchange advice, ideas, or opinions; deliberate; consult.
Origin of counsel
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun counseil, from Anglo-French cunseil, Old French conseil, concile from Latin consilium “debate, advice, advisory body, plan,” equivalent to consil-, variant stem of consulere “to apply for advice” + -ium noun suffix; verb from Anglo-French cunseiler, Old French conseillier, from Late Latin consiliāre, derivative of consilium; see consult,-ium
synonym study for counsel
1. See advice.
words often confused with counsel
See council.
OTHER WORDS FROM counsel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use counsel in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for counsel
counsel
/ (ˈkaʊnsəl) /
noun
verb -sels, -selling or -selled or US -sels, -seling or -seled
Derived forms of counsel
counsellable or US counselable, adjectiveWord Origin for counsel
C13: from Old French counseil, from Latin consilium deliberating body; related to consul, consult
undefined counsel
Avoid confusion with council
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with counsel
counsel
see keep one's own counsel.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.