to make it easier for someone to do something by giving assistance, advice, or support
Could you help me carry these boxes upstairs?
She always helps her little brother with his homework.
✦ Old English helpan “to assist, benefit, do good to,” of Germanic origin; related to Dutch helpen and German helfen.
the act of assisting someone or the assistance that is given
Thanks for your help with the project.
She asked her neighbor for help when her car wouldn't start.
to make a situation better or easier; to be useful or effective
Drinking water will help you feel better when you have a cold.
Turning off the lights helps save energy.
used to cry out when you need immediate assistance or are in danger
Help! My foot is stuck between the rocks!
She shouted, 'Help! I can't swim!'
used with ‘can’t/cannot’ to mean to be unable to stop yourself from doing something
I can’t help laughing at his jokes.
She couldn’t help crying during the sad movie.
a person who assists, especially someone employed to do work
The farmer hired extra help during the harvest.
Our new kitchen help is learning the recipes quickly.
giving useful assistance or making a task or situation easier
The instructions in the manual were very helpful.
Drinking water can be helpful when you have a headache.
✦ Formed from the noun “help” + the adjective-forming suffix “-ful” meaning “full of.” First recorded in late Middle English (15th century).
willing and ready to assist other people
The hotel staff were extremely helpful during our stay.
Mia is always helpful when someone needs advice.
✦ Same formation as the principal sense: “help” + “-ful,” but used of a person’s character from late 16th century onward.
assisting someone or making it easier for something to happen
I enjoy helping my neighbors with their garden.
My brother is helping me move furniture.
✦ From Old English 'helpan', meaning to aid or support someone in need; related to Proto-Germanic '*helpaną'.
a portion or serving of food for one person
Pass me another helping of pasta, please.
Kids, take small helpings so everyone gets some.
✦ From the present participle of the verb 'help', originally denoting assistance; by the 19th century, applied to servings of food, as in a servant helping a portion to a guest.
