counsel

A lawyer who gives legal advice or speaks for someone in court.

• You may speak to your counsel.
• Defence counsel questioned the witness.
• The company appointed new legal counsel.

How to use it: counsel for someone (Counsel for the defendant asked for more time.)

Similar words: lawyer, attorney, barrister

Common phrases: legal counsel, defence counsel, counsel for someone

Advice that helps someone decide what to do.

• She offered wise counsel.
• He sought counsel from a trusted friend.
• Listen to your parents’ counsel before deciding.

How to use it: counsel on something (She gave me counsel on choosing a career.); counsel from someone (We sought counsel from an experienced teacher.)

Similar words: advice, guidance

Common phrases: wise counsel, seek counsel, counsel from someone

A discussion in which people share opinions and advice, especially about legal matters.

• They took counsel before acting.
• We sought counsel on the legal problem.
• After lengthy counsel with her advisers, she agreed.

How to use it: take counsel with someone (She took counsel with her lawyer before signing.)

Similar words: consultation

Common phrases: take counsel, seek counsel, counsel with someone

A group of people who give advice to a person or organization.

• The king gathered his counsel.
• Her counsel included three trusted advisers.
• The royal counsel urged him to wait.

Similar words: advisory group

Common phrases: a wise counsel, the royal counsel

To give someone advice, often as part of your job.

• She counsels young people.
• The therapist counselled a couple after their loss.
• Who will counsel the family about these problems?

How to use it: counsel someone about something (She counsels students about career choices.); counsel someone to do something (His lawyer counselled him to answer honestly.)

Similar words: advise, guide

Common phrases: counsel someone, counsel someone about something, counsel someone to wait

To suggest a particular action or way of behaving as a good choice.

• I counsel patience.
• The report counselled a more careful approach.
• Experts counsel against making a quick decision.

How to use it: counsel against doing something (The adviser counselled against selling the house.)

Similar words: recommend, advise, urge

Common phrases: counsel caution, counsel patience, counsel against something