Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [help-lis]
- /ˈhɛlp lɪs/
- /ˈhelp.ləs/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [help-lis]
- /ˈhɛlp lɪs/
Definitions of helpless word
- adjective helpless unable to help oneself; weak or dependent: a helpless invalid. 1
- adjective helpless deprived of strength or power; powerless; incapacitated: They were helpless with laughter. 1
- adjective helpless affording no help. 1
- noun helpless Unable to defend oneself or to act without help. 1
- adjective helpless defenceless 1
- adjective helpless unable to do things 1
Information block about the term
Origin of helpless
First appearance:
before 1125 One of the 6% oldest English words
Middle English word dating back to 1125-75; See origin at help, -less
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Helpless
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
helpless popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 85% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
helpless usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for helpless
adj helpless
- defenseless — If someone or something is defenseless, they are weak and unable to defend themselves properly.
- weak — not strong; liable to yield, break, or collapse under pressure or strain; fragile; frail: a weak fortress; a weak spot in armor.
- impotent — not potent; lacking power or ability.
- disabled — physically or mentally impaired, injured, or incapacitated.
- unprotected — to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
adjective helpless
- unaided — to provide support for or relief to; help: to aid the homeless victims of the fire.
- defenceless — If someone or something is defenceless, they are weak and unable to defend themselves properly.
- incapable — not capable.
- exposed — Make (something) visible, typically by uncovering it.
- handcuffed — Simple past tense and past participle of handcuff.
adverb helpless
- high and dry — having a great or considerable extent or reach upward or vertically; lofty; tall: a high wall.
- up the creek — U.S., Canada, and Australia. a stream smaller than a river.
- washed up — capable of being washed without shrinking, fading, etc.; washable: a wash dress.
- stranded — composed of a specified number or kind of strands (usually used in combination): a five-stranded rope.
Antonyms for helpless
adj helpless
- powerful — physically strong, as a person: a large, powerful athlete.
- potent — (of a cross) having a crosspiece at the extremity of each arm: a cross potent.
- capable — If a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability to do it.
- competent — Someone who is competent is efficient and effective.
- independent — not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker.
adjective helpless
- self-reliant — relying on oneself or on one's own powers, resources, etc.
- enterprising — Having or showing initiative and resourcefulness.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with he
- Words starting with hel
- Words starting with help
- Words starting with helpl
- Words starting with helple
- Words starting with helples
- Words starting with helpless