First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
: to give assistance or support to <help a child with homework>
2
4
5
: to serve with food or drink especially at a meal <told the guests to help themselves>
6
: to appropriate something for (oneself) <helped himself to the car keys>
intransitive verb
1
: give assistance or support —often used with out <helps out with the housework>
2
: to be of use or benefit
— so help me
: upon my word : believe it or not
See help defined for English-language learners
See help defined for kids
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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
Related to HELP
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>.
2help
noun
: activities or efforts that make it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.
: something (such as money or advice) that is given to someone who needs it
: someone or something that makes it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.
Full Definition of HELP
1
: aid, assistance
2
: a source of aid <printed helps to the memory — C. S. Braden>
4
See help defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HELP
before 12th century
HELP[2] Defined for Kids
1help
verb \ˈhelp\
helpedhelp·ing
Definition of HELP for Kids
1
: to provide with what is useful in achieving an end
2
: to give relief from pain or disease <Did the medicine help?>
3
: prevent 1 <I couldn't help laughing.>
2help
noun
Definition of HELP for Kids
1
: an act or instance of helping : aid <I need your help.>
2
: the fact of being useful or helpful <She's not much help.>
3
: the ability to be helped <We are beyond help.>
4
: a person or a thing that helps <You've been a real help.>
5
: a body of hired helpers
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