help / help/ • v. [tr.] 1. make it easier for (someone) to do something by offering one's services or financial or material aid: Roger's companion helped him with the rent | [tr.] she helped him find a buyer | [intr.] the teenager helped out in the corner store. ∎  improve (a situation or problem); be of benefit to: upbeat comments about prospects helped confidence | [intr.] legislation to fit all new cars with catalytic converters will help. ∎  [tr.] assist (someone) to move in a specified direction: I helped her up. ∎  (help someone on/off with) assist someone to put on or take off (a garment). ∎  relieve the symptoms of (an ailment): sore throats can be helped by gargling.2. (help someone to) serve someone with (food or drink): she helped herself to a cookie. ∎  (help oneself) take something without permission: he helped himself to the wages she had brought home.3. (can/could not help) cannot or could not avoid: he could not help laughing | you can't help but agree. ∎  (can/could not help oneself) cannot or could not stop oneself from acting in a certain way: she couldn't help herself; she burst into tears.• n. assistance: I asked for help from my neighbors thank you for your help. ∎  [in sing.] a person or thing that helps: he was a great help. ∎  a domestic servant or employee. ∎  [as pl. n.] (the help) a group of such employees working for one employer. ∎  [as adj.] giving assistance to a computer user in the form of displayed instructions: a help menu.• interj. used as an appeal for urgent assistance: Help! I'm drowning!PHRASES: so help me (God) used to emphasize that one means what one is saying.there is no help for it there is no way of avoiding or remedying a situation.DERIVATIVES: help·er n.