help

noun

plural helps

1

: the act or an instance of doing or supplying something to make it easier for another to complete a task, deal with a problem, etc. : aid, assistance

thanked us for our help

I could use some help with the dishes.

We heard cries for help coming from the house.

We couldn't have done this without your help.

I'm glad I could be of help. [=I'm glad I could help.]

see also self-help

2

a

: a source of aid

She is a great help to our efforts.

You've been a great help to us.

The instructions were no help (at all).

He's been more of a hindrance than a help.

Turner … and Mackinley … are big helps with their younger siblings.

—Julia Lipscombe

see also help desk, help menu, help screen

b

: something (as money or advice) given to someone who needs it

bought the house with financial help

should get more serious/professional help

3

: remedy, relief

The situation is beyond help.

It can't be helped.

(somewhat old-fashioned) There was no help for it. I was obliged to tell him the truth.

—Wilkie Collins

4

plural usually help

a

: employee

I looked for jobs in the help wanted section of the town's website.

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

Most of the restaurant's summer help is/are college students.

b

often offensive : a domestic worker

—usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

Synonyms of help

• assist
• assistance
• support
• boost
• aid

Examples of help in a Sentence

He thanked us for our help.

I could use some help with the dishes.

We could hear shouts for help coming from the house.

He's been more of a hindrance than a help.

Recent Examples on the Web

Using the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party in the majority to approve legislation with direct budgetary consequences without help from across the aisle, Senate Republicans pushed the package forward in recent months. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 10 June 2026

The House of Bandits is an art and fashion retail concept first introduced in 2020 with help from Burberry. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 10 June 2026

Their dramatic silhouette almost reads as a maxi skirt, while the smocked waistband and adjustable drawstring help create a comfortable fit. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

Grimmie went on to finish in third place with the help of her coach, Adam Levine, who later offered to sign her to his record label. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing help

• cannot help
• cannot help but
• cannot help oneself
• couldn't help
• God/Lord/heaven help (someone)
• help desk
• help line
• help matters
• help menu
• help off/on
• help oneself
• help out
• help screen
• help themselves
• home help
• self-help
• so help me

Rhymes for help

• kelp
• skelp
• whelp
• yelp

Kids Definition

help

1 of 2 verb

ˈhelp 

1

: to provide with what is useful in achieving an end : aid, assist

helped me get a job

2

: remedy entry 2, relieve

rest helps a cold

3

a

: to keep from

couldn't help laughing

b

: prevent sense 1

it couldn't be helped

4

: to serve with food or drink

help yourself

help

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of helping : aid, assistance

give help

thanked us for our help

2

: the state of being helped : relief

a situation beyond help

3

: a person or a thing that helps

a help in time of trouble

4

: a hired helper or a body of hired helpers

hire new help