Help definition
Do you need help with that package?
- To make more effective, larger, more intense, etc.; aid the growth of; promote.A tax to help the schools.
- To cause improvement in; remedy; alleviate; relieve.A medicine that helps a cold.
Couldn't help laughing.
You've been a great help. A food processor is a help to the serious cook.
He was a great help to me when I was moving house.
I've printed out a list of math helps.
Help the homeless.
Tax breaks to help create jobs; new ways to help the environment; a remark that didn't help the situation.
She helped me with my project. I helped her find her book.
Please help the customer in aisle 20.
I made a cake, and my friend helped.
Medication to help your cold.
He has a bad back, and physical therapy hasn't helped.
A misfortune that can't be helped.
I can't find anything in the help about rotating an image.
The help is coming round this morning to clean.
Most of the hired help is seasonal, for the harvest.
His suicide attempts were a cry for help.
He really needs help in handling customer complaints.
"He's a real road-rager." / "Yup, he really needs help, maybe anger management."
The white paint on the walls helps make the room look brighter.
If you want to get a job, it helps to have some prior experience.
She was struggling with the groceries, so I offered to help.
Please, help!
An example of help is what you would shout if you fall and can't get up.
An example of help is what you are asking for when you ask your neighbor to get your mail.
An example of help is someone who goes out of his way to aid you.
An example of help is when you mow your older neighbor's lawn for free.
An example of help is when tutoring makes your grades get better.
He can't help coughing.
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!
- To give (one in need or trouble) something necessary, as relief, succor, money, etc.To help the poor.
- To do part of the work of; ease or share the labor of.To help someone lift a load.
- To aid in getting (up, down, in, etc. or to, into, out of, etc.)help her into the house.
- To serve or provide oneself with:Help yourself to the cookies.
- To take (something) without asking permission:The thief even helped himself to the spare change in the jar.
- To assist (someone) in taking off a piece of clothing:Help me off with these boots.
- To assist in putting on a piece of clothing:Help your grandmother on with her coat.
- cannot fail to; be compelled or obliged to
- to be the victim of circumstances, a habit, etc.
- to serve or provide oneself with (food, etc.)
- to take without asking or being given; steal or appropriate (something)
- to help in getting or doing something; help
- a phrase used to assert that one is making a solemn vow, sincere declaration, etc.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Origin of help
- Middle English helpen from Old English helpan
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English helpen, from Old English helpan (“to help, aid, assist, benefit, relieve, cure”), from Proto-Germanic *helpaną (“to help”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelb-, *ḱelp- (“to help”). Cognate with West Frisian helpe (“to help”), Low German helpen (“to help”), Dutch helpen (“to help”), German helfen (“to help”), Danish hjælpe (“to help”), Norwegian hjelpe (“to help”).
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English, from Old English help (“help, aid, assistance, relief”), from Proto-Germanic *helpō (“help”), *hilpiz, *hulpiz, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelb-, *ḱelp- (“to help”). Cognate with West Frisian help (“help”), Dutch hulp (“help”), Swedish hjälpa (“to help”), German Hilfe (“help, aid, assistance”), Danish hjælp (“help”), Norwegian hjelp (“help”).
From Wiktionary