Assistants Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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assistants

[ษ™หˆsษชst(ษ™)nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

workplace

People employed to assist others in their work.

Synonyms

aide, helper, support staff.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aide

Typically used in contexts where specialized or direct personal assistance is needed, often in healthcare or educational settings.

  • The nurse's aide helps patients with their daily activities.
  • He works as a teacher's aide in a kindergarten.
helper

A general term that can be used in various informal or casual contexts where someone provides assistance.

  • She is a great helper around the house.
  • We need more helpers for the community event.
support staff

Refers collectively to a group of people who provide assistance and support in an organizational or institutional context.

  • The support staff at the university are very efficient.
  • Our support staff ensure everything runs smoothly.

Examples of usage

  • Personal assistants help executives with their daily tasks.
  • Virtual assistants provide administrative support remotely.
Context #2 | Noun

technology

A software program or device that assists users in performing specific tasks.

Synonyms

AI bot, digital helper, virtual assistant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
assistants

General term for any kind of person or software that helps with tasks.

  • The office assistants will help you with filing the documents
  • The teacher's assistants are organizing the class materials
digital helper

Used in the context of software or devices that help users with digital tasks; not as specific as 'AI bot'.

  • My smartphone has a digital helper that recommends the best apps
  • The digital helper in this software speeds up our workflow
virtual assistant

Usually refers to AI-based software that helps with personal or professional tasks, such as Siri or Alexa. It can also refer to a remote human assistant who performs administrative tasks.

  • My virtual assistant sets reminders for my appointments
  • He hired a virtual assistant to manage his emails and social media
AI bot

Specifically refers to a software program powered by artificial intelligence that can perform tasks or services.

  • The company's AI bot can answer customer queries 24/7
  • Our new AI bot helps with scheduling meetings automatically

Examples of usage

  • Digital assistants like Siri and Alexa respond to voice commands.
  • AI assistants can schedule appointments and answer questions.
Context #3 | Noun

sports

Players in a team sport who are not part of the starting lineup but are available to enter the game as replacements.

Synonyms

bench players, reserves, substitutes.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
assistants

People who help or support someone, often in a work or academic setting.

  • He hired two assistants to manage his schedule
  • The professor's assistants graded the exams
substitutes

People who replace others, either temporarily or permanently, often in sports, education, or work.

  • The teacher was sick, so a substitute taught the class
  • The injured player was replaced by a substitute
bench players

Athletes who are not starters and typically begin the game on the bench; used in a sports context.

  • The bench players were ready to step in if any starters got injured
  • The coach praised the bench players for their readiness
reserves

Individuals who are kept back from the main group to be used if necessary; often used in sports but also in military contexts.

  • The reserves were called in when the main team was exhausted
  • The army reserves were activated in response to the emergency

Examples of usage

  • The coach decided to bring in the assistants to change the pace of the game.
  • The assistants on the bench cheered for their teammates.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • With advances in AI, many digital assistants like Siri and Alexa now help manage daily tasks and provide information.
  • Voice-activated assistants have transformed how we interact with technology, making it more accessible to everyone.

Cultural Context

  • In many workplaces, administrative assistants play a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations and communication.
  • Cultural depictions, like in films or books, often show assistants as loyal companions to heroes, highlighting their importance in achieving success.

Education

  • Teaching assistants support teachers in classrooms, often providing individual help to students.
  • Graduate students in many fields serve as research assistants, helping professors with studies and projects.

Psychology

  • The presence of assistantsโ€”whether human or digitalโ€”can reduce stress for individuals, making complex tasks feel more manageable.
  • Research shows that having support from assistants boosts productivity and motivation among workers and students.

Origin of 'assistants'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'assistant' comes from the Latin 'assistere,' which means 'to stand by' or 'to help.'
  • In the mid-15th century, the term was used in English to describe someone who supported another in their tasks or duties.

The word 'assistant' originated from the Latin word 'assistentem,' which means 'to stand by.' It first appeared in English in the 15th century, referring to someone who provides help or support. Over time, the term evolved to encompass various roles in different fields, such as work assistants, technology assistants, and sports assistants.


Word Frequency Rank

At #6,115 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.