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

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