Helping

'hɛlpɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To provide assistance or aid to someone or something.

'hɛlp

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To give assistance or support to someone or something.

I am helping my mom with the groceries.

💡 Simply: Imagine your friend is struggling with their homework. 'Helping' means you step in and make things easier for them, like offering to show them how to solve the problems or giving them a little clue.

👶 For kids: To do something to make things easier for someone.

More Examples

2

The good Samaritan helped the injured man.

3

Can I help you with your luggage?

How It's Used

General

"Can you help me with this puzzle?"

Medical

"The nurse helped the patient."

2

The act of providing assistance or aid.

'hɛlpɪŋ

nounpositiveBeginner
Action

An act of assisting someone or something.

She offered her help to the community.

💡 Simply: Imagine your friend is struggling with their homework. 'Helping' as a noun means you're giving them assistance or support in a positive way. like your friend is struggling with their homework, and your 'helping' could be offering them your notes to compare them to their own work.

👶 For kids: Doing something to make things easier for someone.

More Examples

2

The teacher gave the students some extra help.

3

The charity organization provided help to the poor.

How It's Used

General

"Thank you for your help."

Charity

"The organization provides help to the needy."

Tip:Visualize the act of offering aid.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Help yourself

To take something freely without waiting for permission or an offer.

"Please, help yourself to some cookies."

With a little help from...

To succeed with the support or assistance of someone or something.

"I finished the project with a little help from my team."

From Middle English *helpen*, from Old English *helpan* (verb) and *helpe* (noun), both from Proto-Germanic *helpaną*. The '-ing' suffix indicates the present participle or gerund form.

The word 'help' has been in use since Old English times, evolving from its Germanic roots.

Memory tip

Think of an outstretched hand lending assistance.

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"To aid, assist, or benefit"

offer helpseek helpask for helpprovide helpneed help

Common misspellings

helppinghelpting

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written