ENGLISH
REFERENCE

counsel

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈkaʊnsəɫ// UK //kˈaʊnsəl// coun·sel

n. advice that is given to someone, especially by an expert or someone older. It can also mean a lawyer who represents a person in a court of law.

n. advice or guidance provided formally or professionally; also refers to a legal representative or group of lawyers conducting a case. Often implies a level of wisdom or authority in the person providing the guidance.


SIMPLE

He sought wise counsel before making his final decision.

CONTEXTUAL

The defendant sat quietly while his counsel argued that the evidence was purely circumstantial.

COMPLEX

In times of national crisis, the president relies on the counsel of seasoned diplomats whose experience spans several decades of international relations.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English counseil, conseil, from Old French conseil, from Latin cōnsilium; akin to cōnsulō (“take counsel, consult”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English counseilen, from Old French conseiller, from Latin cōnsilior, from cōnsilium.

Usage

When referring to advice, it is uncountable; when referring to a lawyer or legal team, it is treated as a singular or plural noun but does not typically take an 's' for plural.

Pitfall

He gave me many counselsHe gave me much counselIn the sense of advice, counsel is uncountable and cannot be used in the plural form.

© 2026 English Reference