counseling
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of counseling
Explanation
When you go for counseling, you're getting advice to help you make a decision or figure out what to do. Before getting married, you and your intended may see your minister for counseling about how to have a happy marriage. Usually counseling takes the form of talking with someone who has experience or training in specific areas where you need help. For example, if you need financial counseling, you'll find an expert in managing money. People who go to therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist, to get help with whatever is bothering them, may also refer to that therapy as counseling. Counseling comes from the Latin root consilium, meaning "advice."
Vocabulary lists containing counseling
Orbiting Jupiter
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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.
Derek DuBose, director of college counseling at Miami Country Day School, cautions students against staying on a wait list if they aren’t serious about attending.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026
Established in 1970 under the Public Health Service Act, the Title X program has traditionally aimed to provide access to affordable services, including contraceptive methods, pregnancy testing, options counseling, and sexually transmitted infection testing.
From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will miss Day 3 of the NFL draft as he seeks counseling in the aftermath of photos being published of him and reporter Dianna Russini.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Assuming he is confirmed, Phelan will become chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, counseling the president on economic matters.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
Inside the counseling office, I check in with the secretary and take a seat in one of the hard wooden chairs until Mr. Embry is ready for me.
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
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.
