Skip to main content
to help

to help

1.0
To make a task or situation easier for someone
  • verb
  • /hɛlp/
translation icon : ayudar a
  • It's an app to help you learn French.
  • help students
  • help understand
  • help develop

You want to be able to help people help you.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Some programs have teaching seminars, while others help you find a teaching practicum within your community.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The teacher created new activities to help students understand math better.

  • What are you doing to help people help themselves?

  • What would it take to help people be happy?

  • How is that going to help them at all?

  • But no matter what happens, we will help you through it.

  • I think we are helping him.

  • If this diet might help her, why not try it?

  • I'll help you for real if you want.

  • Yes, there are still folks anxious to help with their time, talents, and treasure.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to assist
vsto help
605 1.0

To help someone by making a task easier

is broader also meaning to improve situations beyond task easing
to help out
vsto help
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

is similar but can also mean making broader improvements beyond a single need
to help with
vsto help
438 1.0

To give someone support to do a task

is more general also meaning to improve situations not only finish tasks
to aid
vsto help
238 1.0

To help someone or something in need

is more general also covering easing tasks and improving situations
to facilitate
vsto help
  • Formal
187 4.9

To make a task or process easier and help it happen

is more person focused also including direct improvement of situations or support
to help someone out
vsto help
  • Informal
182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

focuses on personal often short term support in hard times rather than general easing
to lend a hand
vsto help
  • Informal
28 1.3

To help someone with a task

is casual and brief not about long term improvement or major change
to offer support
vsto help
28 2.7

To give help to someone during a difficult time

focuses more on ongoing backing during hardship than on single task easing
to ameliorate
vsto help
11 8.1

To make a bad situation better

is more about taking direct action for people rather than only improving situations
to lend a helping hand
vsto help
  • Informal
6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

is informal and offers short practical action rather than formal long term support
to provide aid
vsto help
5 2.9

To give help to people and countries in need

is broader including both easing tasks and improving situations
to serve well
vsto help
3 3.5

Be useful to someone when they need it

is more about active actions to make tasks easier or improve situations
3 3.1

To help someone when they are in trouble

emphasizes urgent intervention in crises rather than general easing or support

Antonyms

119 5.1

To block a path or view

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

Idioms

To feel so annoyed or frustrated that you make a soft unhappy sound

Be unable to stop yourself from bragging about a success

Want food so much that you cannot stop your mouth from filling with saliva

To be unable to stop yourself from staring in a rude or amazed way

To do something kind for a person in trouble

Phrasal Verbs

To do part of a task for someone who has trouble doing it

to help out
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

to gonna help
  • Informal
440 7.7

To say you will help someone soon

438 1.0

To give someone support to do a task

182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

Be unable to stop yourself from doing something

To tell someone you need support with a task or problem

Take food or drink for yourself without asking

To ask loudly for help in an emergency

30 2.0

Ask someone for support when you face a problem

Be unable to stop yourself from doing something you want to avoid

21 2.9

Make someone or something move forward faster

To shout loudly when you need help right away

Call out loudly to ask someone to come to you when you are in danger

Make a loud high sound by blowing through your lips to call for help

Compounds

44 3.6

To try to improve your life alone using books or courses

7 3.0

People who are paid to do house or farm work

help desk
  • Specialized
3 3.0

A service that gives information and technical help to computer users

A person paid to clean and cook in a home

1 2.5

A person who helps in a restaurant kitchen with preparing food and cleaning

Help given as goods or services instead of money

help vampire
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who always asks others for help but never tries to solve problems alone or help them back

Something that makes food break down in your stomach

3.4

A person who helps older or disabled people with housework and shopping at home

A sign or action that shows you need help in an emergency, like waving arms

How Helpful

to rescue
633 1.0
to help
1.0
assist
33 1.8
to support
1.0

Surface Forms

help infinitive
helped past
helped past participle
helping present participle
helps third person singular

Etymology

Help comes from an old English and old German word helpan/helfen that meant 'to hold up' or 'support'. So to help someone is to make things easier by giving support.