help

plural helps · alternative he'p

1. uncountableusuallyAction given to provide assistance; aid.

   I need some help with my homework.

   Synonyms: aid, assistance

2. uncountableusuallySomething or someone which provides assistance with a task.

   He was a great help to me when I was moving house.

3. uncountableusuallycomputingDocumentation provided with computer software that could be accessed using the computer.

   I can't find anything in the help about rotating an image.

4. countableusuallyA study aid.

   I've printed out a list of math helps.

   1 more example

   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.

   c. 2002, “Scripture Study Helps”, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

5. uncountableusuallyOne or more people employed to help in the maintenance of a house or the operation of a farm or enterprise.

   The help is coming round this morning to clean.

   1 more example

   Most of the hired help is seasonal, for the harvest.

6. uncountableusuallyCorrection of deficits, as by psychological counseling or medication or social support or remedial training.

   His suicide attempts were a cry for help.

   2 more examples

   He really needs help in handling customer complaints.

   “He’s a real road-rager.” / “Yup, he really needs help, maybe anger management.”

present singular third person helps · participle present helping · past helped · archaic past holp · participle past helped · archaic participle past holp · archaic participle past holpen · first person past singular helped · archaic first person past singular holp · archaic present second person singular helpest · past second person singular helped · archaic past second person singular helpedst · archaic past second person singular holp · present singular third person helps · archaic present singular third person helpeth · past singular third person helped

1. transitiveTo provide assistance to (someone or something).

   He helped his grandfather cook breakfast.

   1 more example

   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.

   2013 June 22, “Snakes and ladders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 76

   Synonyms: see through

2. transitiveTo assist (a person) in getting something, especially food or drink at table; used with to.

   Help yourself to whatever's in the fridge.

   1 more example

   It is polite to help your guests to food before serving yourself.

3. transitiveTo contribute in some way to.

   The white paint on the walls helps make the room look brighter.

   2 more examples

   If you want to get a job, it helps to have some prior experience.

   I've already taken three pills, but they don't seem to help my headache.

   Synonyms: contribute to

4. intransitiveTo provide assistance.

   Please, help!

   3 more examples

   She was struggling with the groceries, so I offered to help.

   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.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   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.

   2013 June 29, “A punch in the gut”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, pages 72–3

   Synonyms: assist

5. transitiveTo avoid; to prevent; to refrain from; to restrain (oneself). Usually used in nonassertive contexts with can.

   Can I help it if I'm so beautiful?

   5 more examples

   We couldn’t help noticing that you were late.

   We couldn’t help but notice that you were late.

   She’s trying not to smile, but she can’t help herself.

   Can I help it that I fell in love with you?

   Are they going to beat us? Not if I can help it!

6. Hong KongSingaporeTo do something on the behalf of someone.

   Can you help me buy some groceries?

7. SingaporeSinglishimperativeTo assist or sympathize with (the speaker); used to express displeasure, disappointment or exasperation.

   Help lah.

   Give me a break.

   1 more example

   Compare Malay tolong (“help; please”) and Hokkien 導郎 /导郎 (tō͘-lông, “help; please”)

alternative he'p

1. A cry of distress or an urgent request for assistance.

   — Take that, you scoundrel. — Help! Robin, help!

2. InternetA way to signal uncontrollable laughter; implying the risk of dying of laughter and needing assistance.

   helpppp that's too funny, did she rlly say that?

1. abbreviationinitialismuncountableInitialism of heat escape lessening position: a crouching position with the knees held close to the chest, used to conserve body heat in cold water.