Meaning of help In English

• 0 to make it possible or easier for someone to do something, by doing part of the work yourself or by providing advice, money, support, etc.:

  • How can I help you?

  • I wonder if you could help me - I'd like some information about flights to New Zealand.

  • My dad said he would help with the costs of (= give part of the cost of) buying a house.

  • [ + obj + (to) infinitive ] The $10,000 loan from the bank helped her (to) start her own business.

  • I feel that learning English will help (= improve) my chances of promotion at work.

  • Nothing can help her now (= her situation is too bad for anyone to be able to improve it).

  • The morphine didn't seem to help (the pain).

  • The drought has helped (to) make this a disastrous year for Somalia.

• 1 If you can't/couldn't help something, such as acting in a particular way or making a particular remark, you are/were not able to control or stop it:

  • It was awful, but I couldn't help laughing.

  • "Stop giggling!" "I can't help it!"

  • I can't help thinking (= my true feeling is that) she'd be better off without him.

• 2 to give something to someone:

  • Can I help you to some more soup?

• 3 to take something for yourself:

  • "Might I have some more bread?" "Please, help yourself!"

• 4 the act of helping another person:

  • Do you need any help with those boxes?

  • Her parents gave her some help with her bank loan (= paid some of it).

  • Having a satnav would be a help.

  • He was a great help (to me) while my husband was away.

  • a home help

• 5 shouted by a person who is asking for someone to come and save them from a dangerous situation

• 6 to make it possible or easier for someone to do something:

  • [ T ] How can I help you?

  • [ T ] Please help those less fortunate than you are.

  • [ + to infinitive ] Avoiding fatty foods and salt can help to bring down your blood pressure.

  • [ T ] Aspirin will help relieve the pain.

• 7 to serve something to someone, or to take something for yourself:

  • Help yourself to more cake.

• 8 the act of making it possible or easier for someone to do something:

  • Do you need help with those boxes?

  • My parents gave us financial help when we bought our first house.

• 9 workers who are employed for a short time during periods when there is a lot of work:

  • We often take on help during the busy season.