help help /ˈhɛlp/

noun

1. () The activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose  ( assist , aid , help , assistance )
   the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
    He gave me an assist with the housework
   he gave me an assist with the housework
    Could not walk without assistance
   could not walk without assistance
    Rescue party went to their aid
   rescue party went to their aid
    Offered his help in unloading
   offered his help in unloading
   
2. () A person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose  ( supporter , helper , help , assistant )
   a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
    My invaluable assistant
   my invaluable assistant
    They hired additional help to finish the work
   they hired additional help to finish the work
   
3. () A means of serving  ( service , help , avail )
   a means of serving
    Of no avail
   of no avail
    There's no help for it
   there's no help for it
   
4. () A person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do  ( help , assistance , aid )
   a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
    Visual aids in teaching
   visual aids in teaching
    His job was to give technical assistance over the phone
   his job was to give technical assistance over the phone
   

verb

1. () Give help or assistance; be of service  ( assist , aid , help )
   give help or assistance; be of service
    Everyone helped out during the earthquake
   Everyone helped out during the earthquake
    Can you help me carry this table?
   Can you help me carry this table?
    She never helps around the house
   She never helps around the house
   
2. () Improve the condition of  ( aid , help )
   improve the condition of
    These pills will help the patient
   These pills will help the patient
   
3. () Be of use  ( facilitate , help )
   be of use
    This will help to prevent accidents
   This will help to prevent accidents
   
4. () Abstain from doing; always used with a negative  ( help oneself , help )
   abstain from doing; always used with a negative
    I can't help myself--I have to smoke
   I can't help myself--I have to smoke
    She could not help watching the sad spectacle
   She could not help watching the sad spectacle
   
5. () Help to some food; help with food or drink  ( help , serve )
   help to some food; help with food or drink
    I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
   I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
   
6. Improve; change for the better  ( help )
   improve; change for the better
    New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture
   New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture
   
7. Take or use  ( avail , help )
   take or use
    She helped herself to some of the office supplies
   She helped herself to some of the office supplies
   
8. Contribute to the furtherance of  ( help )
   contribute to the furtherance of
    This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries
   This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries