Help
WordNet
noun
(1) The activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
"He gave me an assist with the housework"
"Could not walk without assistance"
"Rescue party went to their aid"
"Offered his help in unloading"
(2) A means of serving
"Of no avail"
"There's no help for it"
(3) A resource
"Visual aids in teaching"
"Economic assistance to depressed areas"
(4) A person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
"My invaluable assistant"
"They hired additional help to finish the work"
verb
(5) Improve the condition of
"These pills will help the patient"
(6) Help to some food; help with food or drink
"I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
(7) Take or use
"She helped herself to some of the office supplies"
(8) Give help or assistance; be of service
"Everyone helped out during the earthquake"
"Can you help me carry this table?"
"She never helps around the house"
(9) Abstain from doing; always used with a negative
"I can't help myself--I have to smoke"
"She could not help watching the sad spectacle"
(10) Be of use
"This will help to prevent accidents"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- Action given to provide assistance; aid.
- I need some help with my homework.
- A person or persons who provide assistance with some task.
- He was a great help to me when I was moving house.
- A person employed to help in the maintenance of a house.
- The help is coming round this morning to clean.
Etymology 2
From , from , from .
Verb
- To provide assistance to (someone or something).
- He helped his grandfather cook breakfast.
- To contribute in some way to.
- The white paint on the walls helps make the room look brighter.
- To provide assistance.
- She was struggling with the groceries, so I offered to help.
- To avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself). Usually used in nonassertive contexts with can.
- We couldn’t help noticing that you were late.
- We couldn’t help but notice that you were late.
- She’s trying not to smile, but she can’t help herself.
- Can I help it if I'm so beautiful?
- Can I help it that I fell in love with you?
- —Are they going to beat us? —Not if I can help it!
Usage notes
- In uses 1, 2 and 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. It can also take the bare infinitive with no change in meaning.
- In use 4, can't help is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) or, with but, the bare infinitive.
- For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs
Synonyms
aid, assist, come to the aid of, help out contribute to assistInterjection
- I/we desperately need assistance!
- Help! We're under attack!