An Encylopedia Britannica Company

help

1 help /ˈhɛlp/ verb
helps; helped; helping
1 help
/ˈhɛlp/
verb
helps; helped; helping
Britannica Dictionary definition of HELP
: to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job, to deal with a problem, etc. : to aid or assist someone
[+ object]
[no object]
: to make something less severe : to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with
[+ object]
[no object]
often followed by to + verb
[+ object]
: to give (yourself or another person) food or drink
often + to
informal : to take something for (yourself) without permission
usually + to

can help

◊ If you can help something, you can prevent it from happening.

cannot help

◊ If you cannot help yourself, you cannot control your actions or stop yourself from doing something.
◊ If you cannot help something, you cannot stop it or prevent it.
◊ If you cannot help doing something or cannot help but do something, you cannot stop yourself from doing it.
◊ Something that cannot be helped cannot be avoided.

God/Lord/heaven help (someone)

used to express strong feelings of worry or concern about what is happening or could happen

help off/on

[phrasal verb]
help (someone) off/on with (something)
: to do something that makes it easier for (someone) to put on or take off (clothing, shoes, etc.)

help out

[phrasal verb]
help out or help (someone) out or help out (someone)
: to do something so another person's job or task is easier

so help me (God)

used to stress that a statement is serious and truthful
2 help /ˈhɛlp/ noun
plural help
2 help
/ˈhɛlp/
noun
plural help
Britannica Dictionary definition of HELP
[noncount]
: activities or efforts that make it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.
: something (such as money or advice) that is given to someone who needs it
[singular] : someone or something that makes it easier to do a job, deal with a problem, etc.
[noncount]
: the fact of being useful to someone
: the state of being helped
[plural] : servants or paid workers