unhelpful

uhn-HEHLP-fuhl

Unhelpful (adj) means not providing useful help or assistance. Example: “The customer service rep was polite but completely unhelpful.”

adj

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 notes

In plain EnglishNot useful or supportive when help is needed.

Common pairings

unhelpful comment unhelpful advice find something unhelpful

more unhelpful comparative, most unhelpful superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The customer service rep was polite but completely _____.

From un- + helpful.

helpful

What does “unhelpful” mean?

The word “unhelpful” means not providing useful help or assistance. In plain terms, not useful or supportive when help is needed.

How do you pronounce “unhelpful”?

“Unhelpful” is pronounced uhn-HEHLP-fuhl (/ʌnˈhɛlpfəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “unhelpful” in a sentence?

Here is “unhelpful” used in a sentence: “The customer service rep was polite but completely unhelpful.”

What part of speech is “unhelpful”?

“Unhelpful” is an adjective.

Vocabulary lists that include unhelpful: