# counsel

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkaʊn.səl/ · frequency rank #5,487

## Definitions
1. The exchange of opinions and advice especially in legal issues; consultation.
2. Exercise of judgment; prudence.
3. Advice; guidance.
4. Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.
5. A lawyer, as in King's Counsel (KC) or Queen's Counsel (QC).

## Etymology
From Middle English counseil, conseil, from Old French conseil, from Latin cōnsilium; akin to cōnsulō (“take counsel, consult”).

## Easily confused with
- **course** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/counsel-vs-course)
- **courses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/counsel-vs-courses)
- **counted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/counsel-vs-counted)
- **counselor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/counsel-vs-counselor)
- **consul** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/consul-vs-counsel)
- **council** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/council-vs-counsel)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ccounsel`, `conusel`, `counesl`, `counnsel`, `counsell`, `counsle`, `counssel`, `cousnel`, `cuonsel`, `ocunsel`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/counsel