counsel

/ˈkaʊnsəl/

/ˈkaʊnsəl/

Other forms: counsels; counselled; counseled; counselling

When you give counsel or counsel someone, you give advice. If your neighbor is suing you because your dog keeps eating his begonias, you might seek the counsel of a dog trainer or, if that doesn't work, a lawyer.

You can get professional counsel — from a minister or psychiatrist or someone else trained in counseling — or you can get counsel from anyone you trust. You can ask your stylish friend to counsel you on your hairstyle, or you could write to Dear Abby for counsel on your lovelife. Counsel is also what you call a lawyer who represents you in court. In your begonia-eating dog case, your lawyer would be counsel for the defense.

Definitions of counsel

1. noun

   something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
   synonyms: counseling, counselling, direction, guidance

   types:

   guideline, road map

   a detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action

   career counseling

   counseling on career opportunities

   cynosure

   something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)

   genetic counseling

   guidance for prospective parents on the likelihood of genetic disorders in their future children

   marriage counseling

   counseling on marital problems and disagreements

   confidential information, hint, lead, steer, tip, wind

   an indication of potential opportunity

   type of:

   content, message, subject matter, substance

   what a communication that is about something is about
2. noun

   a lawyer who pleads cases in court
   synonyms: advocate, counsellor, counselor, counselor-at-law, pleader

   type of:

   attorney, lawyer

   a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
3. verb

   give advice to
   “The teacher counsels troubled students”

   “The lawyer counselled me when I was accused of tax fraud”

   synonyms: advise, rede

   types:

   exhort, press, urge, urge on

   force or impel in an indicated direction

   deter, dissuade

   turn away from by persuasion

   admonish, discourage, monish, warn

   admonish or counsel in terms of someone's behavior

   tip, tip off

   give insider information or advise to

   misadvise, misguide

   give bad advice to

   propound

   put forward, as of an idea

   consult

   advise professionally

   contraindicate

   make a treatment inadvisable

   hurry, rush

   urge to an unnatural speed

   bear on, push

   press, drive, or impel (someone) to action or completion of an action

   talk out of

   persuade someone not to do something

   advocate, preach

   speak, plead, or argue in favor of

   type of:

   discuss, hash out, talk over

   speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion