helpful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of helpful
Explanation
If you are inclined to assist others in any situation, you are a helpful person. Your actions can also be called helpful, like your helpful habit of doing the dishes every night. If you want to be helpful, you find ways to make things easier for others, like holding the door for them. Things can also be helpful — maps, cell phones, dictionaries, and holders for wet umbrellas. Taking good notes and setting your alarm to go off early are helpful tips for days when you have big tests. A discussion is helpful if it teaches you something new or gives you ideas for doing something better.
Vocabulary lists containing helpful
Beowulf vocabulary
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 3
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Words to Describe a Teacher
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Any praise for England's pace attack this summer comes with the caveat of the quality of Pakistan's batting - and the fact they are operating in helpful home conditions.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
They feel intervention from authorities would have taken the pressure off Stacy to enforce a separation - and been helpful for the family, while they made difficult decisions about how best to support her.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
“We can find the right words for each other, which is great, and I think very helpful in mixed doubles because everything goes super quick. You have no time to be sad and upset.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
“Valuation indicators are more helpful for long-term forecasting than short-term market timing,” he said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
I’m trying to be helpful, but every sentence causes my aunt more stress.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
