Pronunciations (7)
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/hɛlp/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
- Received-Pronunciation
-
[hɛo̯p]
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[hɛʊ̯p]
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/help/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- New-Zealand
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[he̝o̯p]
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[he̝ʊ̯p]
-
/hɛp/
Noun
Action given to provide assistance; aid.
Usage- Uncountable
- usually
- Examples
-
Thank you for your help.
I need some help with my homework.
Something or someone which provides assistance with a task.
Usage- Uncountable
- usually
- Examples
-
He was a great help to me when I was moving house.
Documentation provided with computer software that could be accessed using the computer.
Usage- Uncountable
- usually
- Examples
-
I can't find anything in the help about rotating an image.
A study aid.
Usage- Countable
- usually
- Examples
-
I've printed out a list of math helps.
More examples (1)
In 1979 the Church published a Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible in English. Included in this edition were numerous helps to make a study of the scriptures more meaningful and rewarding.
One or more people employed to help in the maintenance of a house or the operation of a farm or enterprise.
Usage- Uncountable
- usually
- Examples
-
The help is coming round this morning to clean.
Most of the hired help is seasonal, for the harvest.
Correction of deficits, as by psychological counseling or medication or social support or remedial training.
Usage- Uncountable
- usually
- Examples
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His suicide attempts were a cry for help.
He really needs help in handling customer complaints.
More examples (1)
“He’s a real road-rager.” / “Yup, he really needs help, maybe anger management.”
Verb
To provide assistance to (someone or something).
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
Can you help me carry this bag?
He helped his grandfather cook breakfast.
More examples (1)
Risk is everywhere.[…]For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you. “The Norm Chronicles”[…]aims to help data-phobes find their way through this blizzard of risks.
To assist (a person) in getting something, especially food or drink at table; used with to.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Please help yourself to some bread.
It is polite to help your guests to food before serving yourself.
Help yourself to whatever's in the fridge.
To contribute in some way to.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The white paint on the walls helps make the room look brighter.
If you want to get a job, it helps to have some prior experience.
More examples (1)
I've already taken three pills, but they don't seem to help my headache.
To provide assistance.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
-
She was struggling with the groceries, so I offered to help.
Please, help!
More examples (2)
As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.
Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism.
To avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself). Usually used in nonassertive contexts with can.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
-
I cannot help laughing.
We couldn’t help noticing that you were late.
We couldn’t help but notice that you were late.
More examples (5)
She’s trying not to smile, but she can’t help herself.
Can I help it if I'm so beautiful?
Can I help it that I fell in love with you?
Are they going to beat us? Not if I can help it!
She never does more than she can help.
To do something on the behalf of someone.
Usage- Hong-Kong
- Singapore
- Examples
-
Can you help me buy some groceries?
To assist or sympathize with (the speaker); used to express displeasure, disappointment or exasperation.
Usage- Singapore
- Singlish
- imperative
- Examples
-
Compare Malay tolong (“help; please”) and Hokkien 導郎 /导郎 (tō͘-lông, “help; please”)
Help lah.
Interjection
A cry of distress or an urgent request for assistance.
- Examples
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— Take that, you scoundrel. — Help! Robin, help!
A way to signal uncontrollable laughter; implying the risk of dying of laughter and needing assistance.
Usage- Internet
- Examples
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helpppp that's too funny, did she rlly say that?
Noun
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
he gave me an assist with the housework
could not walk without assistance
More examples (2)
rescue party went to their aid
offered his help in unloading
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
my invaluable assistant
they hired additional help to finish the work
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
visual aids in teaching
his job was to give technical assistance over the phone
a means of serving
- Broader terms
- Examples
-
of no avail
there's no help for it
Verb
give help or assistance; be of service
- Examples
-
Everyone helped out during the earthquake
Can you help me carry this table?
More examples (1)
She never helps around the house
improve the condition of
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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These pills will help the patient
be of use
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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This will help to prevent accidents
abstain from doing; always used with a negative
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I can't help myself — I have to smoke
She could not help watching the sad spectacle
help to some food; help with food or drink
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
contribute to the furtherance of
- Examples
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This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries
take or use
- Synonyms
- Examples
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She helped herself to some of the office supplies
improve; change for the better
- Broader terms
- Examples
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New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture