DictionaryAI

helping

HEL-ping/ˈhɛlpɪŋ/

Noun pluralhelpings

2 meanings of helping

Practice

  1. 1
    assistingverb
    Present participle of help. Use it after "is" or "was", or for the act itself: "Helping others feels good."

    She is helping her brother with his homework.

    They are helping out at the food bank today.

    UsageYou can say helping them move or helping them to move. Also helping someone with homework.

    Note
  2. 2
    portionnouncountable
    An amount of food for one person at a meal, or an amount of something else thought of like that.

    Like one scoop from a big bowl of ice cream.

    He asked for a second helping of mashed potatoes.

    She gave each child a small helping of rice.

    UsageSay a helping of rice, or a second helping when you take more.

    Note

helping is a form of help

help, verb: To do something useful for someone so their task or problem is easier. Full entry

Forms
helphelps he/she/ithelping -ing formhelped past tense, past participle
Spelling
help → helping: add -ing

Use it in a sentence

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Origins

Meaning 2

From Middle English helping, made from help plus -ing.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meaning 1

From Middle English helpinge, from the Old English word helpan meaning 'to help'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts