counsel
[ koun-suhl ]
/ ˈkaʊn səl /
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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.
SYNONYMS FOR counsel
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Idioms for 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. 2021
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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
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.