Assistants: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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