assist
uh-SIHST
Assist (verb) means to help someone do something. Example: “A volunteer assisted the elderly man across the street.”
verb
1
To help someone do something.
"A volunteer assisted the elderly man across the street."
"The software assists doctors in diagnosing rare conditions."
"Could you assist me with carrying these boxes up to the second floor?"
noun
1
In sports, a pass or action that directly leads to a teammate scoring.
"He recorded two goals and an assist in the match."
"The midfielder's pinpoint assist set up the winning goal just before the final whistle."
"She leads the team in assists because she always spots the open player."
How to use assist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo help someone, or (in sports) a play that sets up a teammate's score.
Common pairings
assist with
goals and assists
happy to assist
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Word forms
- Plural
- assists
- Third person singular
- assists
- Past tense
- assisted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A volunteer _____ the elderly man across the street.
Etymology
From Old French assister, from Latin assistere ("to stand by"), from ad- plus sistere ("to stand, cause to stand").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for assist
See all rhymes for assist →Frequently asked questions
What does “assist” mean?
The word “assist” means to help someone do something. In plain terms, to help someone, or (in sports) a play that sets up a teammate's score.
How do you pronounce “assist”?
“Assist” is pronounced uh-SIHST (/əˈsɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “assist” in a sentence?
Here is “assist” used in a sentence: “A volunteer assisted the elderly man across the street.”
What is another word for “assist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “assist” include chip in, help, help out, muck in and pitch in.
What is the opposite of “assist”?
The opposite of “assist” — its antonyms — are hinder and hurt.
What part of speech is “assist”?
Depending on how it is used, “assist” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “assist” come from?
The word “assist” comes from Latin. From Old French assister, from Latin assistere ("to stand by"), from ad- plus sistere ("to stand, cause to stand").
Is “assist” a common word?
“Assist” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between assist and help?
The two are close synonyms, and in most sentences you can swap one for the other. 'Assist' is slightly more formal and often suggests playing a supporting role while someone else leads the task. 'Help' is the everyday, all-purpose word and can cover anything from a small favour to major aid.
Is 'assist' formal or informal?
Assist leans formal. It's common in professional, technical, and workplace settings, such as 'assist the manager' or 'assist with the investigation,' where it sounds precise and businesslike. In casual conversation most people simply say 'help,' which feels warmer and less official while carrying the same basic meaning.
What is an example of 'assist' in a sentence?
You might say, 'A nurse assisted the surgeon during the operation,' or 'New staff will assist customers at the checkout.' In sport, 'assist' is also a noun, a pass that directly leads to a teammate scoring. In each case, it means supporting someone in getting something done.
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