verb (past and past participlehelped, present participlehelp·ing, 3rd person present singularhelps)
Definition:
1. transitive and intransitive verb assist somebody: to make it easier or possible for somebody to do something that one person cannot do alone by providing assistance Can you help me solve this problem? Can I help with those bags?
2. transitive and intransitive verb advise somebody: to provide somebody with advice, directions, or other information Can you help me? I'm looking for Belmont Road.
3. transitive and intransitive verb be useful: to make something easier or more likely It would help if you didn't keep shaking the ladder. Would a business degree help me get a better job?
4. transitive and intransitive verb make things better: to bring about an improvement in something unpleasant, unbearable, or unfortunate I took two pills, but they didn't help my headache. You look ridiculous in that dress, and the hat doesn't help.
5. transitive and intransitive verb provide for somebody's needs: to provide somebody with something that he or she needs, especially money
6. transitive and intransitive verb advance something: to promote the advancement or improvement of something Opening a new sports center won't end teenage crime, but it might help.
7. transitive verb wait on somebody: to wait on somebody in a store, restaurant, or other establishment Can I help you, sir?
8. transitive verb bring somebody food: to give somebody or yourself a serving of food He helped us all to some cake.
9. transitive verb keep somebody from doing something: to keep somebody or yourself from doing something
(
usually used in negative statements
)
We couldn't help overhearing your conversation. I didn't want to laugh, but I couldn't help myself.
10. transitive verb prevent something: to prevent something from happening
(
usually used in negative statements
)
The child couldn't have helped the accident.
noun (pluralhelps)
Definition:
1. assistance: something that is done for or given to somebody in order to make something easier, possible, or better I could do with some help in the kitchen.
2. somebody or something that assists: somebody who provides aid or assistance to somebody The headaches are pretty bad, but the new medicine is a help.
3. way out of something: a way of avoiding doing something or of undoing something
(
often used in negative statements
)
a situation for which there was no help
4. servant or laborer: a person or persons who are paid to help, especially servants or farm hands
(
often considered offensive
)
He treated all the employees like help, and they resented it.
interjection
Definition:
calls for assistance: used to call for assistance when somebody is in danger or difficulty
[ Old English helpan< Germanic]
help yourself to take something for your own use, usually without permission
Word Usage
Can't help but
Traditionally, speakers and writers had a choice between, for example, can't help doing and can't [or cannot] but do. The latter (i.e., cannot but do) is now uncommon. Can't help but do is sometimes seen, but it is a redundant mixture of the two forms, and should be avoided in favor of can't help doing.
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