Meaning & use
counselors
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“counselors” is a form of “counselor”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Trained people whose job is to listen to those with personal or emotional difficulties and help them find ways to cope.
Grammar: Plural of counselor: the counselors meet clients weekly.
Patterns
- counselors for someone
- counselors at something
Grief counselors visited the school after the accident.
Our company offers confidential counselors to staff under stress.
The clinic employs six counselors who work with teenagers.
nounpluralAmerican
School staff who advise students on classes, college applications and personal matters.
Grammar: Plural for the school sense, in American use.
Patterns
- school counselors
- guidance counselors
School counselors help seniors choose a college.
The guidance counselors held a meeting about course choices.
Students may book an appointment with counselors before enrolling.
nounpluralAmerican
Adults who supervise children at a summer camp.
Grammar: Plural for the camp sense, American use.
Patterns
- camp counselors
The camp counselors led a hike up the hill.
Many camp counselors are college students on summer break.
Counselors slept in the cabins with the children.
Common combinations
- school counselors
- School counselors discuss college plans with seniors.
- camp counselors
- Camp counselors organize games and swimming.
- trained counselors
- Trained counselors answer the helpline.
- see a counselor
- She decided to see a counselor about her stress.
- career counselors
- Career counselors help people prepare for interviews.
Synonyms and how they differ
- advisers
- It suggests giving expert opinions and recommendations, whereas counselors guide people in more personal matters.
- therapists
- It means professionals who treat mental health conditions over a period and usually need more specific training.
- mentors
- They share their own experience and are not necessarily trained in counseling.
- counsellors
- This is the British spelling of the same word.
Word family
- counselor noun
- singular form
- counsel verb
- to give advice
- counseling noun
- professional guidance with personal problems
- counsel noun
- advice or a lawyer
Commonly confused: counselors or councilors? counselors or consulates?
counselors vs councilors
Councilors are members of a council. Counselors give guidance.
counselors vs consulates
A consulate is a diplomatic office. A counselor is a person who gives advice.
Practice
At the summer camp, the ____ slept in the cabins and led the evening games.
Choose one answer.
Counselors supervise children at camp. Councilors sit on a local council, a spelling lookalike that does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “counselors”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.