helpmate

noun

help·​mate ˈhelp-ˌmāt How to pronounce helpmate (audio)
 Southern often  ˈhep-,
 also  ˈheəp-
: one who is a companion and helper
especially : wife

Examples of helpmate in a Sentence

after several years as a photographer's helpmate, the young man decided to pursue his own ambitions in commercial photography the man and his helpmate of 50 years decided that it was high time they took a trip around the world together
Recent Examples on the Web Sarah’s love of the British countryside and history, her total dedication to researching narratives and developing textile techniques—and her loyalty—made her Lee McQueen’s ideal helpmate in producing his spectacular feats of fashion theater throughout the 2000s. Sarah Mower, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2023 On the face of it, your partner doesn’t seem to have placed a high priority on being your stalwart helpmate. Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, 4 Apr. 2023 If that’s true, Biden will need an LBJ-style willingness to bully and cajole his party’s caucus along with an FDR-sized resolve to go against the vast power and resources of the industry that has allies on his team and sees him as a pliable helpmate. Libby Watson, The New Republic, 21 Aug. 2020 And Guenevere is now a strategic helpmate, periodically outthinking her husband. Michael Paulson, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'helpmate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from helpmeet

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of helpmate was in 1696

Dictionary Entries Near helpmate

Cite this Entry

“Helpmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helpmate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

helpmate

noun
help·​mate ˈhelp-ˌmāt How to pronounce helpmate (audio)
: one that is a companion and helper
especially : wife sense 2

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