26984 words

helps

17 definitions • 26 examples
1
to make it possible or easier for someone to do something, by doing part of the work yourself or by providing advice, money, support, etc.:

Examples:

How can I help you?
I wonder if you could help me - I'd like some information about flights to New Zealand.
help with My dad said he would help with the costs of (= give part of the cost of) buying a house.
[ + obj + (to) infinitive ] The $10,000 loan from the bank helped her (to) start her own business.
I feel that learning English will help (= improve) my chances of promotion at work.
Nothing can help her now (= her situation is too bad for anyone to be able to improve it).
2
If something helps a difficult or painful situation, it improves it or makes it easier or less painful:

Examples:

The morphine didn't seem to help (the pain).
3
If something or someone helps to do something, that thing or person is one of several reasons for it happening:

Examples:

help (to) The drought has helped (to) make this a disastrous year for Somalia.
4
If you can't/couldn't help something, such as acting in a particular way or making a particular remark, you are/were not able to control or stop it:

Examples:

It was awful, but I couldn't help laughing.
5
to give something to someone:

Examples:

help someone to Can I help you to some more soup?
6
to take something for yourself:

Examples:

"Might I have some more bread?" "Please, help yourself!"
7
the act of helping another person:

Examples:

Do you need any help with those boxes?
help with Her parents gave her some help with her bank loan (= paid some of it).
8
something or someone that helps:

Examples:

Having a satnav would be a help.
help (to) He was a great help (to me) while my husband was away.
9
someone who is employed to clean and do other small jobs:

Examples:

a home help
10
a person or the people employed to work in someone's home doing cleaning, cooking, caring for children, etc.:

Examples:

He was kind to the help.
You needn't bother with that. The help will gather our dishes.
11
shouted by a person who is asking for someone to come and save them from a dangerous situation
12
to make it possible or easier for someone to do something:

Examples:

[ T ] How can I help you?
[ T ] Please help those less fortunate than you are.
[ + to infinitive ] Avoiding fatty foods and salt can help to bring down your blood pressure.
13
If something helps a difficult or painful situation, it improves it or makes it easier or less painful:

Examples:

[ T ] Aspirin will help relieve the pain.
14
You shout "Help!" in an emergency when you need the immediate support of someone else.
15
to serve something to someone, or to take something for yourself:

Examples:

Help yourself to more cake.
16
the act of making it possible or easier for someone to do something:

Examples:

Do you need help with those boxes?
My parents gave us financial help when we bought our first house.
17
workers who are employed for a short time during periods when there is a lot of work:

Examples:

We often take on help during the busy season.

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