¹help

verb \ˈhelp; Southern often ˈhep also ˈheəp\

: to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job, to deal with a problem, etc. : to aid or assist someone

: to make something less severe : to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with

: to give (yourself or another person) food or drink

Full Definition of HELP

transitive verb

: to give assistance or support to <help a child with homework>

a : to make more pleasant or bearable : improve, relieve <bright curtains will help the room> <took an aspirin to help her headache>

b archaic : rescue, save

a : to be of use to : benefit

b : to further the advancement of : promote

a : to change for the better

b : to refrain from : avoid <we couldn't help laughing>

c : to keep from occurring : prevent <they couldn't help the accident>

d : to restrain (oneself) from doing something <knew they shouldn't go but couldn't help themselves>

: to serve with food or drink especially at a meal <told the guests to help themselves>

: to appropriate something for (oneself) <helped himself to the car keys>

intransitive verb

: give assistance or support —often used with out <helps out with the housework>

: to be of use or benefit

— so help me

: upon my word : believe it or not

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Origin of HELP

Middle English, from Old English helpan; akin to Old High German helfan to help, and perhaps to Lithuanian šelpti

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HELP

Synonyms: abet, aid, assist, back, backstop, prop (up), support, bear a hand, to stand one in good stead

Antonyms: hinder

Synonym Discussion of HELP

improve, better, help, ameliorate mean to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard. improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad <measures to further improve the quality of medical care> <immigrants hoping to better their lot>. help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement <a coat of paint would help that house>. ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure <tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements>.