helpful
HEHLP-fl
Helpful (adj) means giving useful help or assistance. Example: “The staff were very helpful when we got lost.”
adj
1
Giving useful help or assistance.
"The staff were very helpful when we got lost."
"That was a really helpful suggestion, thanks."
"The librarian was helpful and found the book we needed in seconds."
How to use helpful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUseful; ready or able to give assistance.
Common pairings
helpful advice
be helpful
a helpful person
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more helpful
- Superlative
- most helpful
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The staff were very _____ when we got lost.
Etymology
From "help" plus the suffix "-ful," meaning "full of."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for helpful
See all rhymes for helpful →Frequently asked questions
What does “helpful” mean?
The word “helpful” means giving useful help or assistance. In plain terms, useful; ready or able to give assistance.
How do you pronounce “helpful”?
“Helpful” is pronounced HEHLP-fl (/ˈhɛlp.fl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “helpful” in a sentence?
Here is “helpful” used in a sentence: “The staff were very helpful when we got lost.”
What part of speech is “helpful”?
“Helpful” is an adjective.
Is “helpful” a common word?
“Helpful” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between helpful and useful?
'Helpful' usually describes someone or something that actively gives assistance, often with a willing, kindly quality — a helpful colleague. 'Useful' describes something that serves a practical purpose or gets a job done, without implying kindness — a useful tool. People are typically called helpful; objects and information are more often called useful.
What is the opposite of helpful?
The direct opposite is 'unhelpful,' meaning giving little or no useful assistance. Depending on context, words like 'useless,' 'obstructive,' or 'inconvenient' can also serve as opposites. Something unhelpful fails to make a task easier, and may even get in the way.
Is 'helpful' a positive word?
Yes. Helpful is firmly positive, praising someone or something for giving useful assistance. Calling a person helpful compliments their willingness to support others, and describing advice or a feature as helpful means it genuinely makes things easier. It carries warmth and approval in almost every context.
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