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

A White House aide said the four officials named in the invitation haven’t confirmed their attendance at the December event.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Seemingly new to the job, POTUS, presented as a level-headed leader, has been barely briefed on the workings of the nuclear football and asks the aide carrying the briefcase to run down the responses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He has since walked the statement back, with a leadership aide insisting that they will swear Grijalva in when Senate Democrats “decide to open up the government” and the House returns to session.

Read more on Salon

However, a leadership aide for Johnson contradicted the statement later in the day, saying it was “customary practice” to swear in newly elected representatives when Congress is in session.

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At the request of Nixon aide John Ehrlichman, Gray told field offices to help Nixon campaign surrogates by providing local crime information.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• assistant 
• deputy 
• supporter