Navigate Lingo

All confusables

Council / Counsel

Different meanings

A council is a group; counsel is advice or an adviser.

Council

Use when

You mean an advisory, governing or deliberative group.

Example

“The council will consider the recommendation next month.”

Counsel

Use when

You mean advice, the act of advising, or a legal adviser.

Example

“The agency sought counsel before responding.”

Quick check

legal council, councilled the team

Source checked 2026-08-10 (opens in a new tab)