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Synonyms

helpful

American  
[help-fuhl] / ˈhɛlp fəl /

adjective

  1. giving or rendering aid or assistance; of service.

    Your comments were very helpful.

    Synonyms:
    advantageous, beneficial, convenient, useful
    Antonyms:
    inconvenient, useless

helpful British  
/ ˈhɛlpfʊl /

adjective

  1. serving a useful function; giving help

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • helpfully adverb
  • helpfulness noun
  • overhelpful adjective
  • overhelpfully adverb
  • overhelpfulness noun
  • quasi-helpful adjective
  • quasi-helpfully adverb
  • unhelpful adjective
  • unhelpfully adverb

Etymology

Origin of helpful

First recorded in 1300–50; help + -ful

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.

Avello concludes, "Everything that we're doing is only important and helpful if we talk about it."

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

“Across multiple trainings, we have had attendees say or put in the chat, ‘These recommendations would be helpful for anyone,’” Maddox said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"We have had people message us and say to us on the day as well what a difference it has made and how helpful they have found it," she added.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Bank say the 10-year Treasury yield has remained a helpful measure of the broader bond backdrop.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Dr. Mudd had been helpful to Booth in Maryland, but the actor also needed the doctor’s help—an introduction—in Washington.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson