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

see pda entry 1

assistant adjective

Synonyms

• adjunct
• adjutant
• aid
• aide
• apprentice
• coadjutor
• deputy
• helper
• helpmate
• helpmeet
• lieutenant
• mate
• 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

The prosecution first brought forward former InterContinental Hotel assistant security director Israel Florez, now an LAPD officer. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 13 May 2025

To answer them, our own Adam Tyner teamed up with Matt Giani, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and his graduate assistant, Franchesca Lyra. —Michael J. Petrilli, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Shouldn’t the teachers and assistants receive the same pay and benefits as those in traditional public schools? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025

During the second game of a doubleheader against the Royals at old Comiskey Park in 1977, peg-legged owner Bill Veeck left the press box when his assistant was jumped and entered the fray. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025

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