Help

Definition

Help refers to the act of providing assistance, support, or aid to someone in need. It can also mean to improve or make a situation easier or better. As a noun, it refers to assistance or an individual providing it.

Parts of Speech

• Verb
• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /hɛlp/
• Respelling: help

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /hɛlp/
• Respelling: help

Etymology

The word "help" originates from Old English "helpan," meaning "to assist or support," derived from Proto-Germanic "*helpaną," and is related to Dutch "helpen" and German "helfen."

Derivatives

• Helpful (adjective)
• Helper (noun)
• Helping (noun/verb)
• Helpless (adjective)
• Unhelpful (adjective)

Synonyms

• Assist
• Support
• Aid

Antonyms

• Hinder
• Obstruct
• Harm

Usage

The term "help" is widely used in social, professional, and emergency contexts. For example, "Can you help me carry this box?" or "She offered her help during the crisis."

Related Terms

• Assistance: The act of helping or aiding.
• Support: Backing or encouragement provided to someone or something.
• Aid: Material or practical help provided to those in need.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To assist someone or something: Refers to providing aid or making a task easier.
  • Example: "He helped his friend move to a new house."
• To improve a situation: Describes actions taken to resolve or alleviate an issue.
  • Example: "The medication helped relieve her pain."

Noun

• Assistance or support: Refers to the act or result of aiding someone.
  • Example: "She offered her help to those in need."
• A person providing assistance: Describes an individual who aids others.
  • Example: "The chef hired extra help for the busy season."