# councillor

/kˈaʊnsɪlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/councillor
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. elected local official

noun · CEFR B2

a person who is elected to represent their local area in a city or town council.

For teachers: an elected representative serving on a local government body, such as a city, borough, or county council.

- The local councillor promised to improve the parks in our neighborhood.
- The councillor faced a difficult meeting with residents who were concerned about the proposed changes to the local library service.

Usage: In British English, the spelling is 'councillor'; in American English, 'councilor' is more common.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'counselor'. Remind them that a councillor is a politician, while a counselor is often a therapist or advisor.

## Examples

- The local councillor promised to improve the city parks.
- After hearing complaints about the new traffic lights, the councillor raised the issue at the next town hall meeting.
- While the mayor sets the overall vision for the city, each individual councillor must balance the specific needs of their ward against the constraints of the annual municipal budget.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.