Word Mischief: Councilor vs. Counselor Explained!

Councilor vs. Counselor

Introduction

Sometimes, words sound the same but mean different things. Two such words are “councilor” and “counselor.” Let’s learn how they are different.

History of the Words

Both words come from old languages. “Councilor” came from the Latin word “concilium,” which means a group meeting. “Counselor” came from the Latin word “consilium,” which means advice or giving advice.

Meaning and Usage

Councilor

A “councilor” is a person who is part of a council. A council is a group of people who make decisions for towns, cities, or other groups.

• The councilor attended the town meeting.
• She was elected as a city councilor.
• The councilor helped plan the new park.
• The residents asked the councilor for help with traffic issues.
• The councilor represents our neighborhood.

Counselor

A “counselor” is a person who gives advice. This could be a school counselor, a camp counselor, or a lawyer.

• The school counselor helped me with my classes.
• We talked to the counselor about our problems.
• The camp counselor taught us how to be safe in the woods.
• The counselor gave us good advice for our future.
• Our family went to a counselor for guidance.

Trick to Remember

To remember the difference:

• Councilor has an “i” like in “city.” They are city leaders.
• Counselor has an “s” like in “advice.” They give advice.

Summary

Remember, a councilor is a person who works in government or big groups. A counselor is a person who helps with advice or support.