The difference between "counsel" and "council"

Decisions, decisions. At one point or another, we've all needed advice on something. Funnily enough, the words we use for advice and decision-making can be confusing too, like "counsel" and "council." They sound the same, but they mean different things.

Counsel

"Counsel" is about advice. As a verb, it means to give someone advice, usually in a professional way. As a noun, it can mean the advice itself, but it sounds quite formal. In everyday English, people just say "advice."

• The therapist counseled her on how to deal with stress.
• Teachers counsel students about which courses to take.
• He asked his mentor for counsel before making the move.

"Counsel" can also mean a lawyer, especially in legal or formal settings.

• He spoke to legal counsel before signing the contract.
• The company's counsel advised them not to comment.

Council

"Council" is a group of people chosen or elected to make decisions, often for a town, a school, or an organization.

• The city council voted on the new parking rules.
• She was elected to the student council.
• The council meets every first Monday of the month.

In the UK, "the council" often means your local government, the people in charge of things like rubbish collection and parks.

• I need to call the council about the broken streetlight.
• The council still hasn't fixed that pothole.

If you get stuck, think about who's involved. A council is a group of people. A counselor is one person who gives you advice, and what they do is counsel.

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