counsel

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   To give someone advice or guidance, especially on a serious or personal matter.

   Grammar: Takes an object, often with against or an -ing form: counsel him against leaving.

   Patterns

   • counsel someone
   • counsel someone to do something
   • counsel against something

   The therapist counseled the couple for six months.

   Her mentor counseled her to wait.

   Doctors counsel against skipping breakfast.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   Serious advice, particularly from someone with experience.

   Grammar: No plural and no article: He sought wise counsel.

   Patterns

   • seek counsel
   • take counsel from someone

   She took her grandmother's counsel and stayed.

   He ignored wise counsel and signed anyway.

3. 3noununcountablelegal

   A lawyer or group of lawyers handling a legal case.

   Grammar: Singular in form, used for one or several lawyers: defense counsel.

   Patterns

   • counsel for the defense

   Counsel for the defense asked for a short break.

   The company's counsel reviewed the contract.

Word forms

Common combinations

counsel against

I counsel against rushing.

wise counsel

He offered wise counsel.

legal counsel

Ask legal counsel first.

counsel patience

The leader counseled patience.

defense counsel

Defense counsel objected.

Synonyms and how they differ

advise

Advise is more common and general, while counsel suggests serious, thoughtful guidance.

guide

Guide implies leading someone along a path, not only giving advice.

advice

As a noun, advice is the everyday word and counsel is formal.

Word family

counselor noun

a person who gives guidance, or a lawyer in some countries

counseling noun

professional guidance on personal problems

Commonly confused: counsel or council?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “counsel”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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