assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsi-stənt 

1

: a person who assists someone : helper

also : a person holding an assistantship

2

: a device or product that provides assistance

software assistants

personal digital assistant

assistant adjective

Synonyms of assistant

• aide
• apprentice
• deputy
• aid
• adjutant
• sidekick

Examples of assistant in a Sentence

an assistant to the college president

an assistant to the store manager

a wealthy executive who has a personal assistant

Recent Examples on the Web

Hi-tech features include Dyson hairdryers, smart TVs, and a bedside AI-assistant that can close the drapes, play songs, and lower the temperature. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026

Both owe a lot of their success and development to Pomona assistant coach Ben Barrows, Derek’s biological dad and Kalob’s adopted dad. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026

When Lakers coach Jack McKinney was injured in a bicycle accident in November 1979, assistant coach Paul Westhead took over and hired Riley as an assistant. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Cavanaugh was an assistant at Boston College, instrumental in recruiting and coaching Gaudreau, who helped BC win a national championship and went on to become an NHL star, and his brother Matt. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English assistent, borrowed from Anglo-French assistant, assistent, noun derivative of assistant, assistent, adjective, "assisting, helpful," from present participle of assister "to help, aid" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistance Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assistant

• assistant professor
• personal digital assistant
• physician assistant
• physician's assistant
• sales assistant
• teaching assistant

Rhymes for assistant

• consistent
• existent
• insistent
• persistent
• resistant
• subsistent
• coexistent
• equidistant
• inconsistent
• nonexistent
• preexistent
• distant

Kids Definition

assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt 

: a person who assists another : helper

assistant adjective