Helpful: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿค
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helpful

 

[ หˆhษ›lpfษ™l ]

Adjective / Adverb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

in a positive context

Giving or ready to give help. Providing useful assistance; beneficial.

Synonyms

aiding, beneficial, supportive, useful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
helpful

This word is used to describe someone or something that provides assistance in general situations.

  • She was very helpful during the meeting.
  • The instructions were helpful in completing the project.
useful

This term is used to describe something that has a practical function or can be used to achieve a purpose.

  • This tool is useful for fixing bicycles.
  • She found the online tutorials very useful.
beneficial

This word is used to describe something that has a positive effect or is good for a person or situation.

  • Regular exercise is beneficial for your health.
  • The new policy will be beneficial to small businesses.
supportive

Used to describe a person or group that provides emotional or practical support.

  • Her family is very supportive of her career choice.
  • The teacher was supportive of his students' efforts.
aiding

Typically used in formal or legal contexts to describe assistance, often with a focus on active help or intervention.

  • The organization is aiding disaster relief efforts.
  • He was charged with aiding and abetting a crime.

Examples of usage

  • Her advice was very helpful in solving the problem.
  • The guide provided helpful information for the tourists.
  • The supportive community was always helpful in times of need.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a positive context

In a way that is useful or beneficial.

Synonyms

beneficially, supportively, usefully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
helpful

When describing someone or something that provides assistance or makes a situation easier.

  • The guide was very helpful during our trip.
  • Her advice was extremely helpful in completing the project.
usefully

Applies to something done in a practical or effective manner, ensuring that it fulfills a function well; often related to tools, information, or tasks.

  • The new software was usefully designed for ease of use.
  • He provided the information very usefully during the meeting.
supportively

Describes an action or demeanor that shows support, encouragement, or assistance, often emotionally or morally.

  • She nodded supportively as he spoke.
  • The team members worked supportively to help each other succeed.

Examples of usage

  • She always speaks very calmly and helpfully during our meetings.
  • The instructions were laid out clearly and helpfully.

Translations

Translations of the word "helpful" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น รบtil

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคนเคพเคฏเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช hilfreich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bermanfaat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะพั€ะธัะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pomocny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฝนใซ็ซ‹ใค

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท utile

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ รบtil

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yardฤฑmcฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋„์›€์ด ๋˜๋Š”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ููŠุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ uลพiteฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ uลพitoฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆœ‰็”จ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ uporaben

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gagnlegur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟะฐะนะดะฐะปั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒกแƒแƒ แƒ’แƒ”แƒ‘แƒšแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ faydalฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ รบtil

Etymology

The word 'helpful' originated from the Middle English word 'helpful'. It has been used in the English language to describe something that provides assistance or support since the 14th century. The concept of being helpful is valued across cultures and has been a key aspect of human interaction throughout history.

See also: helper, helpers, helpfully, helpfulness, helping, helpless, helplessly, helplessness, unhelpful.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,036, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.