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Distinguishing homophones can be challenging, but some pairs at least have completely different meanings: for instance, 'peak' and 'peek', or 'idle' and 'idol'.
Unfortunately, that's not the case with 'council' and 'counsel', which both relate to providing advice. So, what's the distinction—and how can you keep them straight?
'Counsel' can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it essentially means 'advice'. If you’re asking someone for guidance, you’re seeking their counsel. You can also use 'counsel' as a noun to refer to one or more legal advisors. If someone says you're entitled to counsel, it likely means you're entitled to a lawyer. If the government appoints a 'special counsel', they’ve tasked a lawyer with investigating a specific issue. In short, when discussing legal matters, the word you're probably after is 'counsel'. Remember that 'lawyer' and 'counsel' both contain an 'e'.
When used as a verb, 'counsel' means to offer advice. For example, you can counsel your friend to take the path less followed. A guidance counselor is someone who advises students on which classes to enroll in.
On the other hand, you cannot use 'council' as a verb—because 'council' is always a noun. A council refers to a group of individuals (councilors) gathered for a specific purpose. City councils and student councils, for example, make decisions that shape the functioning of their respective communities. In 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,' the Council of Elrond assembles with a singular purpose: to determine the fate of the One Ring.
While councils often provide counsel, the term 'council' specifically refers to the group of people involved. You may recall other words with the 'cil' suffix that are frequently tied to council activities: Individuals may 'vacillate' between different options, and opposing parties might need to 'reconcile' their differences to reach an agreement. You might hand out 'pencils' for voting, or if the meeting lasts too long, order lunch, with some councilors requesting no 'cilantro' in the guacamole.
