aide

[eyd]

noun

1. an assistant or helper, especially a paid employee.

   Years ago, my mom was a teacher’s aide in a kindergarten classroom.

2. nurse's aide.

   During the war she worked as an aide in a field hospital, changing bedpans and cleaning floors.

3. aide-de-camp.

4. an assistant or advisor to a public figure, especially one who works for a person in public office.

   He is a journalist and former White House aide.

5. home health aide.

   The agency just called to say my mom's aide didn't show up this morning.

aide

/ eɪd /

noun

1. an assistant

2. social welfare an unqualified assistant to a professional welfare worker

3. short for aide-de-camp

Confusables Note

See aid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aide¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1770–80; from French: literally, “helper”; aid

Example Sentences

“I think she’s preparing to exit the stage,” an unnamed Democratic aide told NBC.

Read more on Salon

Ruano, a teacher’s aide in Wisconsin, fled El Salvador and had been trafficked in the United States.

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After Britain offered freedom to those slaves who joined the British army, a South Carolinian aide to Gen. George Washington suggested raising “an all-black regiment” of 3,000 enslaved African-Americans to help defend Charleston.

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Washington slapped unprecedented sanctions on Colombia's leftist president, his wife, son and a top aide Friday, accusing them of enabling drug cartels -- and rocking a decades-old alliance.

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An aide to Scott told The Times this week that the investigation remains focused on the Palisades fire but could still expand.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assistant 
• deputy 
• supporter