Vocabulary
B1–B2
5 min read
Updated 10 June 2026
Quick answer: Council (noun) is a group of people who govern or advise: the city council. Counsel means advice (noun) or to advise (verb): legal counsel; she counselled him. Remember: council ends in -cil like pencil — a tool used in meetings — while counsel ends in -sel, reminding you a lawyer sells advice.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| council | noun only | a group of people elected or appointed to govern, advise, or administer | The council voted to approve the new housing plan. |
| counsel | noun / verb | advice (noun); a lawyer or adviser (noun); to advise or guide (verb) | The judge asked for counsel from the defence team. |
Using Council (Noun Only)
Council is always a noun. It refers to a formal body of people convened to govern, make decisions, or provide guidance. You will see it in political, civic, and organisational contexts. It is never used as a verb.
The council met on Tuesday to discuss the new road proposals.
She was elected to the town council after years of volunteering.
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on the conflict.
He submitted a planning application to the local council.
Common Phrases with Council
- city council / town council (the elected body governing a city or town)
- council tax (a UK property tax collected by local councils)
- council house / council flat (UK social housing provided by a local authority)
- student council (a representative body for students in a school or college)
- privy council (a body of senior advisers to a head of state)
Using Counsel (Noun / Verb)
Counsel functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means advice or guidance — particularly professional or legal advice — and can also refer to a barrister or lawyer representing a client in court. As a verb, to counsel means to give advice or guide someone, especially in a therapeutic or professional context.
The defence counsel argued that the evidence was inadmissible.
She sought the counsel of an experienced mentor before making the decision.
A trained therapist was brought in to counsel the survivors of the accident.
The doctor counselled the patient to reduce stress and improve sleep.
Counsel as a Legal Term
In legal English, counsel is particularly important. It refers to the lawyer or barrister presenting a case in court. Common phrases include King’s Counsel (KC) and Queen’s Counsel (QC) — senior barristers in England and Wales. Counsel for the prosecution and counsel for the defence are standard courtroom expressions.
Common Phrases with Counsel
- legal counsel (a lawyer providing professional legal advice)
- keep one’s own counsel (to keep one’s thoughts or plans private)
- King’s Counsel / Queen’s Counsel (KC/QC) (senior barrister designation in the UK)
- counsel of perfection (advice that is idealistic but impractical)
- marriage counselling (professional guidance for couples)
Memory Trick
Council ends in -cil, just like pencil. Picture a committee member taking notes with a pencil at a council meeting. Counsel ends in -sel, which sounds like sell — a lawyer sells advice. A second reliable check: council is always a noun (it names a group), while counsel can be a verb (you can counsel someone). If you need a verb, the answer is always counsel.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using counsel when referring to a governing body
✗ The counsel approved the new budget for the financial year.
✓ The council approved the new budget for the financial year.
Mistake 2 — Using council when referring to advice or a lawyer
✗ She hired a solicitor to act as her legal council.
✓ She hired a solicitor to act as her legal counsel.
Mistake 3 — Using council as a verb
✗ The therapist councilled the patient for six months.
✓ The therapist counselled the patient for six months.
Practice Links
Test your understanding with interactive exercises:
More Confusing Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between council and counsel?
Council is always a noun referring to a formal group of people who govern, make decisions, or administer — for example, a city council or a student council. Counsel is both a noun meaning advice or a legal adviser, and a verb meaning to advise or guide someone. The key test: if you need a verb, use counsel (you cannot “council” someone). If you are referring to a governing body, use council.
Can council ever be used as a verb?
No — council is only ever a noun in standard English. It always refers to a group of people or a governing body. The verb form is counsel (to counsel someone). Writing “she councilled the student” is incorrect; the correct form is “she counselled the student.” If you want a verb, always choose counsel.
What does “legal counsel” mean?
Legal counsel refers to a lawyer or solicitor who provides professional legal advice, or who represents a client in court. It uses counsel as a noun meaning an adviser or legal professional. You might see it in phrases like “retained legal counsel” (hired a lawyer) or “counsel for the defence” (the barrister representing the defendant). The correct phrase is always “legal counsel,” never “legal council.”
What is a King’s Counsel or Queen’s Counsel?
King’s Counsel (KC) or Queen’s Counsel (QC — used when the monarch is female) is a senior barrister in England, Wales, and some other common-law jurisdictions who has been appointed to the title by the Crown. The designation signals expertise and seniority in the legal profession. This uses counsel in its legal sense of a skilled advocate. The correct spelling is always Counsel, never Council.
What does “keep one’s own counsel” mean?
To keep one’s own counsel is an idiom meaning to keep one’s thoughts, plans, or opinions private — to not share them with others. Example: “He kept his own counsel about the merger until the deal was finalised.” It uses counsel in the sense of private inner wisdom. This is a formal or literary expression, more common in writing than everyday speech.
How do you spell the verb — is it “counsel” or “council”?
The verb is always spelled counsel — never council. To counsel someone means to advise or guide them professionally: “The school counselled the student about career options.” The related noun for the person doing the advising is a counsellor (British English) or counselor (American English). Council has no verb form at all.
Is it “council tax” or “counsel tax”?
The correct spelling is council tax. In the United Kingdom, council tax is a property-based tax levied by local councils (governing authorities) to fund local services such as rubbish collection, schools, and street maintenance. Because it is charged by the council (the governing body), the word council is used. “Counsel tax” is an error.
What is a counsellor and how does it differ from a councillor?
A counsellor (from counsel) is a person who gives professional advice or support — for example, a careers counsellor or a marriage counsellor. A councillor (from council) is an elected or appointed member of a governing council, such as a town councillor. Despite sounding similar, they have completely different roles: one offers guidance, the other serves on a governing body. The spelling — -sellor vs -illor — reflects the root word.
How can I remember which word to use?
Two reliable memory tricks: (1) Council ends in -cil like pencil — picture councillors taking notes with pencils at a meeting. Counsel ends in -sel, which sounds like “sell” — a lawyer sells advice. (2) Ask yourself: is it a group of people making decisions? Use council. Is it advice, or the act of advising? Use counsel. A third check: can you replace the word with “advise”? If yes, use counsel. If the word refers to a committee or governing body, use council.
Are council and counsel pronounced the same way?
Almost — both are pronounced /ˈkaʊn.səl/ in standard British and American English, making them near homophones. This is why they are so frequently confused in writing. The only reliable way to choose the correct spelling is to identify the meaning: governing body = council; advice or to advise = counsel. In careful speech some speakers produce a very slight difference, but in practice the two words sound identical.