What is council? Pronunciation and usage in English

council means . Learn how to pronounce and use council through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of council

councilnoun

/ˈkaʊnsl/
Definition & pronunciation of council

The word "council" is pronounced like this:

** /ˈkʌn.səl/ **

Here's a breakdown:

  • ˈkʌn: This part sounds like "cunn" (like the color brown) followed by "sul" - similar to the word "soul" but with a "s" sound.
  • səl: This is a short, unstressed "s" sound, like the "s" in "sun."

Tips for pronunciation:

  • Focus on the "cunn" sound: This is the trickiest part for some learners.
  • Don't overemphasize the "l": The "l" is very subtle.

You can hear it spoken here:

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Usage and examples with the word council in English

Let's break down how to use the word "council" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding the context is key.

1. A Group of People (Most Common)

  • Definition: The most common use of "council" is as a noun referring to a group of people who meet to discuss and make decisions about something.

  • Examples:

    • "The town council voted to approve the new park." (A group of elected officials)
    • "The company's advisory council reviewed the marketing plan." (A group of experts)
    • "The school council elected a student president." (A student-led group)
    • "The village council is responsible for maintaining the roads." (A local government body)

  • Synonyms: board, committee, panel, group, assembly

2. A Religious Council

  • Definition: Historically and still in some religions, a "council" refers to a body of religious leaders who gather to discuss doctrine, resolve disputes, or make decisions for the faith.
  • Examples:
    • "The Ecumenical Council met to debate the interpretation of scripture." (Referring to the Catholic Church’s councils)
    • “The Druids held counsel, a form of council, to guide the people." (Historically - a gathering of wise men)

3. A Specific Councils (Proper Nouns)

  • Definition: "Council" is often used as the name of a specific, historical or ongoing organization. These are usually capitalized.
  • Examples:
    • "The United Nations Council on Human Rights"
    • "The Privy Council" (a body assisting the British monarch)
    • "The City Council" (a specific government body for a city)
    • "The War Council" (a group discussing military strategy)

4. As a Verb (Less Common)

  • Definition: "Council" can also be used as a verb, meaning "to advise" or "to give counsel."
  • Examples:
    • "I council with my mentor." (I seek their advice.)
    • "The king sought council from his wise advisors." (He asked for their advice.)

Tips for Using "Council" Correctly:

  • Context is crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words to determine the meaning. Is it a group of people? A religious body? A specific organization?
  • Formal Tone: "Council" generally has a more formal tone than words like "group" or "committee."
  • Plural Form: It's usually "councils" (plural). "The councils met."

Here's a quick breakdown table:

Use Definition Example
Group of People A body of people meeting to decide The city council approved the plan.
Religious Body of religious leaders The Council convened to discuss...
Proper Noun Specific organization The United Nations Council
Verb (Rare) To advise I council with my friend.

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., "I need to describe a local government," "I'm writing about religious history," "I want to give an example of a board of advisors.")

Synonyms for the word council

Practice with vocabulary council

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The local ______ held an emergency meeting to address the sudden increase in public transport fares.
  2. Effective ______ with staff is crucial for successful organizational change.
  3. The project steering ______ decided to postpone the launch date due to unforeseen technical challenges.
  4. Following the expert recommendations, the national ______ is set to finalize the new environmental protection bill next month.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The city's legislative body, often responsible for local ordinances and public services, is commonly referred to as the: a) Board of Directors b) Municipal Council c) Advisory Panel d) Steering Committee

  2. Before making a significant career decision, it is wise to seek professional ______ from experienced individuals. a) counsel b) console c) council d) convention

  3. If an organization seeks formal advice on a strategic direction, they might establish or consult a/an: a) focus group b) ad-hoc committee c) advisory council d) internal audit team

  4. What are common functions of a student council in an educational institution? a) Managing financial investments for the university endowment. b) Representing student interests to the administration. c) Organizing campus-wide social events and initiatives. d) Overseeing faculty hiring and promotions.

  5. A small, specialized group formed to investigate a particular issue or perform a specific task within a larger organization is typically called a: a) forum b) board c) committee d) delegation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence, using "council" or a related word form: The government established a specialized group of experts to provide guidance on technology policy.

  2. Rewrite the sentence, using "council" or a related word form: The mayor's office called a meeting for the local legislative body to discuss the new public safety initiatives.

  3. Rewrite the sentence, using a suitable replacement word (do not use "council" or its related forms): The small, dedicated team was tasked with investigating the root causes of the production delays.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The local council held an emergency meeting to address the sudden increase in public transport fares.
  2. Effective consultation with staff is crucial for successful organizational change.
  3. The project steering committee decided to postpone the launch date due to unforeseen technical challenges.
  4. Following the expert recommendations, the national council is set to finalize the new environmental protection bill next month.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Municipal Council
  2. a) counsel
  3. c) advisory council
  4. b) Representing student interests to the administration. c) Organizing campus-wide social events and initiatives.
  5. c) committee

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government established a technology advisory council to provide guidance on policy.
  2. The mayor's office called a meeting for the city council to discuss the new public safety initiatives.
  3. The small, dedicated committee was tasked with investigating the root causes of the production delays.

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