adj
unhelpful
uhn-HEHLP-fuhl
adj
1
Not providing useful help or assistance.
"The customer service rep was polite but completely unhelpful."
"Constant criticism is unhelpful when someone is already trying their best."
How to Use Unhelpful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot useful or supportive when help is needed.
Common pairings
unhelpful comment
unhelpful advice
find something unhelpful
Word Forms
more unhelpful comparative, most unhelpful superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “unhelpful”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The customer service rep was polite but completely _____.
Etymology
From un- + helpful.