help

¹help

verb \ˈhelp; Southern often ˈhep also ˈheəp\

Definition of HELP

transitive verb

1

: to give assistance or support to <help a child with homework>

2

a : to make more pleasant or bearable : improve, relieve <bright curtains will help the room> <took an aspirin to help her headache>

b archaic : rescue, save

3

a : to be of use to : benefit

b : to further the advancement of : promote

4

a : to change for the better

b : to refrain from : avoid <we couldn't help laughing>

c : to keep from occurring : prevent <they couldn't help the accident>

d : to restrain (oneself) from doing something <knew they shouldn't go but couldn't help themselves>

5

: to serve with food or drink especially at a meal <told the guests to help themselves>

6

: to appropriate something for (oneself) <helped himself to the car keys>

intransitive verb

1

: give assistance or support —often used with out <helps out with the housework>

2

: to be of use or benefit

— so help me

: upon my word : believe it or not

Examples of HELP

1. Don't blame me: I was only trying to help!
2. Help! Somebody call the police!
3. She took an aspirin to help her headache.
4. Humor often helps a tense situation.
5. It's not much money, but every little bit helps.

Origin of HELP

Middle English, from Old English helpan; akin to Old High German helfan to help, and perhaps to Lithuanian šelpti

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HELP

Synonyms

abet, aid, assist, back, backstop, prop (up), support, bear a hand, to stand one in good stead

Antonyms

hinder

Related Words

advance, ease, facilitate, forward, foster, further, launch; champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, promote, sponsor; attend, care (for), comfort, minister (to), succor; sustain; bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce (also reenforce); advise, counsel, guide, mentor, nurture; bail out, deliver, rescue, save; embolden, encourage, hearten; benefit, favor, oblige, profit, serve

Near Antonyms

balk, bar, block, constrain, hamper, handicap, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, restrain, strangle; baffle, foil, frustrate, inconvenience, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart; desert, disappoint, fail, let down; discourage, dishearten; repress, retard, stifle, straiten, stunt; damage, harm, hurt, injure

See Synonym Discussion at improve

Rhymes with HELP

kelp, whelp, yelp

²help

noun

Definition of HELP

1

: aid, assistance

2

: a source of aid <printed helps to the memory — C. S. Braden>

3

: remedy, relief <there was no help for it>

4

a : one who serves or assists another (as in housework) : helper

b : employee <help wanted> —often used collectively <the hired help>

Examples of HELP

1. He thanked us for our help.
2. I could use some help with the dishes.
3. We could hear shouts for help coming from the house.
4. He's been more of a hindrance than a help.

First Known Use of HELP

before 12th century

Related to HELP

Synonyms

abetment, aid, assist, assistance, backing, boost, hand, helping hand, leg up, lift, support

Antonyms

hindrance

Related Words

advancement, encouragement, facilitation, forwarding, furtherance, furthering, nurturance; benefaction, patronage, promotion, sponsorship; advice, care, counsel, guidance, mentoring; attendance, attention, hand-holding, service; beneficence, charity, favor, kindness, philanthropy; assuagement, palliation, relief, succor

Near Antonyms

constraint, frustration, inhibition, interference, obstruction, repression, restraint; deterrence, discouragement