help

¹help

verb
\ˈhelp; Southern often ˈhep also ˈheəp\

Definition of HELP

transitive verb

1

: to give assistance or support to <help a child with homework>

2

a : to make more pleasant or bearable : improve, relieve <bright curtains will help the room> <took an aspirin to help her headache> b archaic : rescue, save

3

a : to be of use to : benefit b : to further the advancement of : promote

4

a : to change for the better b : to refrain from : avoid <we couldn't help laughing> c : to keep from occurring : prevent <they couldn't help the accident> d : to restrain (oneself) from doing something <knew they shouldn't go but couldn't help themselves>

5

: to serve with food or drink especially at a meal <told the guests to help themselves>

6

: to appropriate something for (oneself) <helped himself to the car keys>

intransitive verb

1

: give assistance or support —often used with out <helps out with the housework>

2

: to be of use or benefit

— so help me

: upon my word : believe it or not

Examples of HELP

1. Don't blame me: I was only trying to help!
2. Help! Somebody call the police!
3. She took an aspirin to help her headache.
4. Humor often helps a tense situation.
5. It's not much money, but every little bit helps.

Origin of HELP

Middle English, from Old English helpan; akin to Old High German helfan to help, and perhaps to Lithuanian šelpti

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HELP

Synonyms: abet, aid, assist, back, backstop, prop (up), support, bear a hand, to stand one in good stead

Antonyms: hinder

Related Words: advance, ease, facilitate, forward, foster, further, launch; champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, promote, sponsor; attend, care (for), comfort, minister (to), succor; sustain; bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce (also reenforce); advise, counsel, guide, mentor, nurture; bail out, deliver, rescue, save; embolden, encourage, hearten; benefit, favor, oblige, profit, serve

Near Antonyms: balk, bar, block, constrain, hamper, handicap, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, restrain, strangle; baffle, foil, frustrate, inconvenience, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart; desert, disappoint, fail, let down; discourage, dishearten; repress, retard, stifle, straiten, stunt; damage, harm, hurt, injure

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Rhymes with HELP

kelp, whelp, yelp