helps; helped; helping
1
: to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job, to deal with a problem, etc. : to aid or assist someone
Let me help you with that box. = Let me help you lift/carry that box.
help a child with her homework = help a child (to) do her homework
I helped her up/down the stairs. [=I gave her support so that she could go up/down the stairs]
Help me! I'm drowning!
Don't blame me: I was only trying to help!
She helped (to) set the table.
Help! Somebody call the police!
2
: to make something less severe : to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with
Rest helps a cold.
She took an aspirin to help her headache.
Some color would really help [=improve] this room.
Humor often helps a tense situation.
Yelling doesn't help.
It's not much money, but every little bit helps.
—often followed by to + verbIt helps to know you care. [=I feel better because I know that you care]
3
a
: to give (yourself or another person) food or drink
There's plenty of food, so help yourself. [=take as much food as you would like]
—often + toHe helped his neighbor to a glass of wine.
Help yourself to whatever you'd like.
b
informal
: to take something for (yourself) without permission
He saw the money lying on the table, and he helped himself. [=he took the money]
—usually + toHe helped himself to the money.
plural help
1
a
: activities or efforts that make it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.
He thanked us for our help.
I could use some help with the dishes.
We could hear shouts for help coming from the house.
a help menu/screen [=a part of a computer program that gives instructions and information about how to use the program]
b
: something (such as money or advice) that is given to someone who needs it
I couldn't have bought this house without financial help. [=without money given to me by someone else]
She is very unhappy and needs some serious/professional help. [=she should see a counselor or psychologist to help her with her problems]
2
: someone or something that makes it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.
She has always been a real help (to me) in times of trouble.
He's been more of a hindrance than a help.
3
a
: the fact of being useful to someone
You've been (of) no help at all to me. [=you haven't helped me at all]
b
: the state of being helped
Is there any help for us? [=is there anything that can be done to help us?]
The situation is beyond help. [=nothing can be done to improve the situation]
(Brit) There was no help for it but to tell her parents. [=there was no way to avoid telling her parents]
4
: servants or paid workers
We need to hire additional help.
The help have already left for the day.
It's hard to find good help.
(US) I looked through the help wanted ads. [=the part of the newspaper in which jobs are advertised]
Cite this Entry
“Help.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/help. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.
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