Words / B1

KOWNSL/ˈkaʊnsl/

A council is a group elected to run a town or local area: the city council; council tax (UK); a council meeting. Counsel (with an s) is advice, or a lawyer in court — a classic spelling trap. Local authority is a close official twin. Council house / council flat is UK social housing. Do not write “the counsel built a sports centre” when you mean local government.

Meaning

A group of people elected to govern a town or local area.

Examples

• “The city council is building a new sports centre.”
• “Council tax pays for bins, libraries, and street lighting.”
• “The town council voted against the late-night supermarket.”

Good to know

city / town council. UK: council tax; council house. Official twin: local authority. Not counsel (advice / lawyer).

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