Counselor and councilor have the same sound. However, they have different definitions and should not be confused. So what’s the difference between them? Words in the English language that sound the same but have different meanings are called homophones or homonyms.

What Is the Definition of the Word Counselor?

a person who counsels; adviser.
- mental health professionals, social workers, family therapists, etc.
a faculty member who advises students on personal and academic problems, career choices, and the like.
- school counselor, guidance counselor
an assistant at a children’s camp, often a high school or college student, who supervises a group of children or directs a particular activity, as nature study or a sport.
- summer camp counselor
a lawyer, especially a trial lawyer; counselor-at-law.
- legal counsel
a high ranking diplomat of an embassy or legation who ranks below an ambassador or minister with an important role.

What Is the Definition of the Word Councilor?

a member of a council like a city council, ex. councilwoman and councilman for the town

Synonyms of Counselor

advocate, instructor, teacher, mentor, counsel, mouthpiece, attorney, solicitor, lip, front, guide, squeal, pleader, ambulance chaser, legal eagle

Synonyms of Councilor

commissioner, deputy, agent, member, delegate, lawyer, senator, counselor, legislator, representative, aide, appointee, minister, attorney, spokesperson, rep, messenger, proxy, salesperson, ambassador

Etymology of the Word Counselor

The first recorded date you can trace counselor back to is in 1175-1225. In Middle English, it was spelled slightly different “counselier,” which was adapted to Middle English from Anglo-French “cunseiler”.

Etymology of the Word Councilor

The word councilor can be traced back to the 1300s. This spelling was the replacement of the Middle English conselier and is commonly used in British English as opposed to American English.

Example Sentences of the Word Councilor in Context

Councilor Carlos Apolinário insists on proposing laws that encourage hate and discrimination.
A BRAZILIAN STRAIGHT PRIDE DAY?|MAC MARGOLIS|AUGUST 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
No menace could this be to himself personally, for he and Sykes stood there safe in the company of the councilor himself.
ASTOUNDING STORIES OF SUPER-SCIENCE, DECEMBER 1930|VARIOUS
And the councilor who presents your cause must be a member of your clan, of course.
THE BEST MADE PLANS|EVERETT B. COLE
“No one objects,” said Faslar, the ex-king’s Prime Minister and councilor.
INVADERS FROM THE INFINITE|JOHN WOOD CAMPBELL
Councilor Forbes delayed while his companions entered the huts to attend the invalids.
BLACKBEARD: BUCCANEER|RALPH D. PAINE
Councilor Oliver Cowdery stood up on the part of the accuser, and opened the case clearly.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, VOLUME 2|JOSEPH SMITH

Example Sentences of the Word Counselor in Context

Alma Porley, a former counselor at the county’s El Cajon outpatient mental health clinic, said patients and doctors quickly recognized the change in 2011.
MTS FREQUENTLY OVERRULES DOCTORS’ ORDERS ON REDUCED FARES FOR THE DISABLED|LISA HALVERSTADT|AUGUST 31, 2020|VOICE OF SAN DIEGO
I worked as a camp counselor after high school, and I loved it.
SOCIAL MEDIA FEELS INCREASINGLY TOXIC. WHAT DO I DO?|BLAIR BRAVERMAN|AUGUST 29, 2020|OUTSIDE ONLINE
On Wednesday, Sweetwater’s board also voted to lay off 209 workers, including teachers, counselors and librarians.
MORNING REPORT: POLICE REFORMERS ARE COMING FOR MTS|VOICE OF SAN DIEGO|JUNE 25, 2020|VOICE OF SAN DIEGO
If you identify with two or more of the following traits, you may want to seek out a nutritionist or counselor, according to Dunn.
ORTHOREXIA: WHEN HEALTHY EATING BECOMES AN OBSESSION|DAILYBURN|OCTOBER 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These meetings are the brainchild of Noah Levine, a Buddhist instructor, author, and counselor in Los Angeles.
THE BUDDHIST PUNK REFORMING DRUG REHAB|STEPHEN KRCMAR|JUNE 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“A month before I was arrested, my [high school] counselor took me to see a psychiatrist,” she reported.
THE FIRST MODERN SCHOOL SHOOTER FEELS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REST|MICHAEL DALY|MAY 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Photographer, Baker, Florist, Broadcaster, Counselor, Innkeeper, and Teacher.
ST. HIPPOLYTUS’ CAREERS CHRISTIANS SHOULD NEVER HAVE|CANDIDA MOSS|MAY 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the APAS in Luton, a counselor warned a reporter about similar “risks”.
UK CLINICS: ABORTION LEADS TO SEX ABUSE AND CANCER|THE TELEGRAPH|FEBRUARY 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A closer scrutiny revealed that the handwriting was that of his Uncle Benjamin, the rhyming friend and counselor of his childhood.
TRUE TO HIS HOME|HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH
On that occasion Joseph F. Smith, his counselor, acted as interpreter and offered the dedicatory prayer.
WILFORD WOODRUFF|MATTHIAS F. COWLEY
The King of Poland and his counselor lodged that night in the city.
ADDED UPON|NEPHI ANDERSON
Thus did he order, and he signed the same, with the advice of his counselor, who signed.
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, 1493-1898, VOLUME XXIII, 1629-30|VARIOUS
Maybe the counselor wants to look over the table for himself.
…OR YOUR MONEY BACK|GORDON RANDALL GARRETT

Summary

You are now more than informed on the differences between counselor and councilor. You can now confidently use them correctly in sentences and know which one is correct for your use case. Hopefully, you also took away some other helpful information surrounding these two words.

Sources:

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

Councilor vs. Counselor: What’s The Difference?

Your writing, at its best

What Is the Definition of the Word Counselor?

What Is the Definition of the Word Councilor?

Synonyms of Counselor

Synonyms of Councilor

Etymology of the Word Counselor

Etymology of the Word Councilor

Example Sentences of the Word Councilor in Context

Example Sentences of the Word Counselor in Context

Summary

Sources:

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