Assistant: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is versatile and can be used in both professional and casual settings. An assistant usually helps with administrative tasks, making it suitable for office environments.

• The manager asked her assistant to prepare the documents for the meeting.
• He worked as a teaching assistant while pursuing his master's degree.

This term is more informal and commonly used in everyday situations or to refer to someone who provides help in general, often without a specific job title.

• My little brother was a great helper with cleaning the garage.
• During the charity event, volunteers acted as helpers to assist with various tasks.

Typically used in formal or medical contexts, an aide is someone who provides specific support, often within healthcare or political settings.

• The nurse aide helped the elderly patient with her daily activities.
• A presidential aide leaked the confidential information to the press.

Mostly used in organizational or corporate settings, support staff refers to employees who assist main staff members by handling background tasks and administrative duties.

• The support staff handled all the logistics for the conference.
• In large firms, the support staff is crucial for maintaining smooth operations.

Use this word to describe someone who helps with tasks, usually in a work or professional setting.

• The assistant scheduled all the meetings for the day
• She asked her assistant to prepare the presentation

Supporter is great for describing someone who provides emotional or moral support. It is often used in the context of causes, teams, or individuals needing encouragement.

• He is a strong supporter of women's rights
• The football team has many loyal supporters

This word is more informal and can be used to describe someone who helps with any kind of task or chore, often without professional implication.

• He was a great helper when we moved to our new house
• The teacher asked for a helper to distribute the textbooks

This term is often used to refer to someone who provides support in case the main person is unavailable. It is commonly used in both professional settings and daily life.

• We always have a back up for critical roles in our team
• She's the back up if the primary speaker can't make it

Used for a software or digital tool that helps with tasks or provides information. It suggests a computerized service.

• I use a smart assistant to set reminders and manage my appointments.
• The digital assistant can answer questions and control smart home devices.

Emphasizes the electronic or online nature of the assistance. Often used in contexts involving gadgets, software, and the internet.

• The digital helper provided step-by-step instructions to fix the problem.
• You can rely on a digital helper to organize your files and emails.

Draws attention to the virtual or non-physical nature of the assistant. Commonly used in more formal or technical contexts.

• The company implemented a virtual aide to improve customer service.
• Virtual aides are becoming more sophisticated with the advancements in AI.

Highlights the advanced or 'smart' technology behind the assistant, often implying artificial intelligence capabilities.

• The smart assistant can recognize your voice and execute commands.
• Smart assistants can integrate with various smart home devices for seamless control.