help
verb (transitive)
UKhelpUShelp
to make it easier or possible for someone to do something by offering one’s assistance or resources
Example Sentences
Could you help me carry these boxes upstairs?
He offered to help his friend study for the test tomorrow.
She wants to help by volunteering at the local animal shelter.
If you help cook dinner, we’ll be done much faster.
The new software tool will help you organize your work more efficiently.
I asked my neighbor to help fix the broken fence in my backyard.
Sometimes all it takes is one person to help you see possibilities you never noticed, transforming a daunting challenge into a manageable opportunity.
Despite his busy schedule, he chose to help the community center raise funds, tirelessly reaching out to local businesses and coordinating events to ensure its success.
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noun (uncountable)
UKhelpUShelp
assistance given to make a task easier or to improve a situation
Example Sentences
They offered help to those affected by the recent flood.
I appreciate your help with the project; I couldn’t have finished it alone.
When you’re overwhelmed, seeking help can ease your burden and provide fresh perspectives on how to proceed.
She provides help to her elderly neighbors by doing their shopping each week.
The directions were no help at all, so we got lost on our way to the museum.
Their organization offers help to homeless families, ensuring they have shelter and access to vital services.
With a little help from her colleagues, she managed to reorganize the entire inventory in record time, saving the company both effort and resources.
His thoughtful advice and genuine help came at just the right moment, giving her the confidence to tackle the challenges that lay ahead.
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How to Use
Offer or give assistance to ease a taskIn everyday usage, this verb describes the act of aiding someone in accomplishing a task, solving a problem, or overcoming a challenge. You might employ it in sentences such as, “Could you please help me move this table?” or “I’m here to help you with your homework.” Within professional or academic contexts, it can also denote support or facilitation—like providing resources or guidance to team members. When offering assistance, clarity is key: specify how you intend to provide support—physically, financially, emotionally, or via advice. Conversely, when asking for it, articulate your needs and constraints. Understanding the context in which the term is used ensures both parties have a shared perspective on what is needed and how to proceed effectively. Whether it’s a simple gesture of opening a door or a comprehensive project collaboration, the concept behind this word centers on making someone’s journey smoother. By clearly communicating the type and scope of assistance required or offered, misunderstandings can be minimized and outcomes maximized.
Alternatives
Alternatives often hinge on the degree or style of assistance. “Assist” is a common formal substitute, carrying a comparable sense of lending a hand. “Support” suggests backing someone’s efforts through resources, encouragement, or cooperation—useful in team or organizational contexts. “Aid” can convey a more formal, sometimes philanthropic angle, implying assistance in urgent or significant matters (e.g., disaster relief). If you’re aiming to highlight collaboration, terms like “contribute” or “cooperate” may work better, emphasizing a joint effort rather than direct intervention. Meanwhile, “facilitate” points to making a process easier, often employed in academic or professional settings to describe enabling progress. Choosing a synonym depends on context, intention, and audience; whether you’re addressing everyday help or specialized tasks, synonyms can tailor your message to reflect formality, specificity, or tone. By selecting the right term, you convey the proper level of collaboration, support, or guidance required in any situation.
Writing
When writing, clarity and specificity should guide your use of this term. In more formal compositions, such as business proposals or academic papers, consider synonyms like “assist” or “facilitate,” especially when detailing the nature of support provided. If you aim to emphasize cooperation, you might deploy phrases like “work together” or “contribute resources.” In personal essays or narratives, however, sticking to the familiar word can resonate with readers, signaling straightforward generosity or kindness. Context matters: be direct when outlining requests or offers of aid—“I need someone to help me finalize this report”—so your readers readily understand who is assisting whom and why. By balancing clarity, courtesy, and directness, you can convey the sense of assistance precisely, avoiding ambiguity or repetition. Keep in mind that nuanced language often strengthens your writing, so choosing a term carefully ensures the right tone and level of formality.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day conversations, people toss around this term naturally—“Could you help me open this jar?” or “I’m here if you need anything.” It’s a quick way to offer support or request it without fuss. Many also use short phrases like “Lend me a hand” or “Give me a boost” to sound more relaxed. In casual chats, specificity is generally less critical, but politeness still counts. A simple “Hey, can you help me carry these groceries?” goes a long way. Remember to be considerate—if you frequently ask someone for assistance, showing gratitude keeps the interaction warm and reciprocal. Nothing is set in stone for everyday speech, so feel free to be flexible with synonyms and phrases, though you’ll often find the short and sweet approach works best. Essentially, genuine willingness to give or receive a hand fosters positive connections.
Etymology
The term comes from Old English “helpan,” sharing Germanic roots that convey aiding or supporting someone. Early references often focused on life’s necessities—neighbors helping each other harvest crops, for instance. Over centuries, the concept expanded beyond physical labor to include emotional, financial, or instructional assistance. Medieval texts frequently used the idea of seeking divine or kingly aid, reflecting a hierarchical society that relied on benevolence from those in power. Today, the word retains its core meaning: extending a hand, whether physically or metaphorically. In modern culture, it symbolizes altruism, collaboration, and empathy, underscoring our innate drive to work together. Whether it’s friends offering comfort or global communities rallying around a crisis, the notion of assistance remains a fundamental part of human connection and societal progress.
