# help

Pronunciation: say "HELP" /hɛlp/

## Verb

1. To make it easier for someone to do something, or to be of use, by giving assistance or support.
   - Simple: To do something useful for someone so their task or problem is easier.
   - _Volunteers help families rebuild after natural disasters._
   - _A good teacher helps students find their own answers._
2. To contribute to or promote a particular result.
   - Simple: To make something more likely to happen or get better.
   - _Regular exercise helps recovery after illness._
   - _Clear instructions help the whole process run smoothly._
4. To prevent or avoid something; to keep oneself from doing it. Usually used with "can" in negatives or questions.
   - Simple: To stop yourself from doing something, used mostly with "can't".
   - _He couldn't help noticing the mistake on the sign._
   - _I can't help the way I feel about the decision._
8. To serve a person with something, typically something to eat or drink at a meal, with "to" before the thing served.
   - Simple: To give someone food or drink, often at a meal.
   - _The host helped each visitor to a glass of wine._
   - _Please help yourself to whatever you like from the buffet._
6. To act on someone's behalf by doing a task for them. *(Hong Kong, Singapore)*
   - Simple: To do a task for someone instead of them having to do it.
   - _I'm stuck in a meeting, so can you help me buy lunch on your way back?_
   - _While she was overseas, her colleague helped her submit the visa form at the office._
12. In Singapore English, used in the imperative, often as help lah, to express exasperation or displeasure, much like 'give me a break'. *(Singapore)*
   - Simple: In Singapore, said as 'help lah' when you are annoyed or upset, like saying 'give me a break'.
   - _Help lah, I've already explained the rules to you three times._
   - _Help lah, you parked right in front of my gate again._

## Noun

3. Assistance or support given to someone who needs it, including professional care or treatment.
   - Simple: Support given to someone, including care or treatment for a problem.
   - _The flood victims received help from across the country._
   - _His steady help made the whole project possible._
5. A person or thing that gives assistance or is useful with a task.
   - Simple: Someone or something that is useful and makes a job easier, as in 'you've been a big help'.
   - _An extra pair of hands is always a help on moving day._
   - _The new software proved a genuine help to the design team._
9. Paid workers employed to maintain a household or run a farm or business.
   - Simple: Workers paid to do jobs around a house, farm, or business.
   - _The hotel brought on seasonal help for the summer rush._
   - _Reliable help is hard to find at harvest time._
10. On-screen documentation included with software, accessed from within the program.
   - Simple: Information built into a program that explains how to use it.
   - _She searched the help for instructions on exporting files._
   - _The application's help explains every menu option in detail._

## Interjection

7. A shout used to call for urgent assistance when in danger or distress.
   - Simple: A word you shout when you are in danger and need someone fast.
   - _Help! The boat is taking on water and starting to sink!_
   - _Lost in the dark cave, the boy kept shouting "Help!" until his voice gave out._
11. An exclamation signaling helpless laughter, as if one might die laughing and need rescuing.
   - Simple: A word people type in messages when something makes them laugh so hard they cannot stop.
   - _Help, why is the cat wearing tiny sunglasses?!_
   - _Help, I just read your text out loud on the bus and now I can't stop laughing._

## Origin

**Meanings 3, 5, 9–10** — Proto-Indo-European *ḱelb- or *ḱelp- ("to help") is probably the ultimate source, by way of Proto-Germanic *helpō. In Old English the noun help meant "help, aid, assistance, relief," and it kept the same form in Middle English. Dutch hulp, German Hilfe, and Swedish hjälp are relatives.
**Meanings 1–2, 4, 6–8, 11–12** — Old English helpan had a wide range of meanings, "to help, aid, assist, relieve, cure," and became Middle English helpen. It comes from Proto-Germanic *helpaną and probably goes back to Proto-Indo-European *ḱelb- or *ḱelp- ("to help"). Dutch helpen, German helfen, and Gothic hilpan are relatives.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/help (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).