Word a Day
helpless
What does helpless mean?
helpless (adjective): lacking help; powerless.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use helpless in a sentence?
- Lying ill and helpless. (Princeton WordNet 3.1)
- Helpless with laughter. (Princeton WordNet 3.1)
How do you pronounce helpless?
/ˈhɛlpləs/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does helpless come from?
From Middle English helples, from Old English *helplēas (“helpless”) from Proto-Germanic *helpōlausaz, equivalent to help + -less.
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What are synonyms of helpless?
Words related to helpless
From Princeton WordNet 3.1.
Test yourself: do you know “helpless”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “helpless” mean?
wide in extent or scope
Not quite: that's what broad means.
lacking help; powerless
Right! That's what “helpless” means.
being of use or service
Not quite: that's what useful means.
low or reduced in price
Not quite: that's what cheap means.
Which word is closest in meaning to “helpless”?
incapacitated
Right!
uncomfortable
Not quite: uncomfortable means something else.
comprehensive
Not quite: comprehensive means something else.
psychological
Not quite: psychological means something else.
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