If you describe someone as helpful, you mean that they help you in some way, such as doing part of your job for you or by giving you advice or information.
The staff in the London office are helpful but only have limited information.
James is a very helpful and cooperative lad.
Thank you, you've been most helpful.
Synonyms: cooperative, accommodating, kind, caring More Synonyms of helpful
helpfullyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
They had helpfully provided us with instructions on how to find the house.
'Perhaps you could check the book?' Moira said helpfully.
helpfulnessuncountable noun
The level of expertise and helpfulness is far higher in smaller shops.
Synonyms: usefulness, benefit, advantage More Synonyms of helpful
Synonyms: cooperation, kindness, support, assistance More Synonyms of helpful
2. adjective
If you describe information or advice as helpful, you mean that it is useful for you.
The catalog includes helpful information on the different bike models available.
The following information may be helpful to readers.
3. adjective
Something that is helpful makes a situation more pleasant or more easy to tolerate.
A predominantly liquid diet for a day or two may be helpful.
It is often helpful to have your spouse in the room when major news is expected.
Recognising this is can be very helpful in enabling one to cope.
Synonyms: beneficial, advantageous, expedient, favourable More Synonyms of helpful
More Synonyms of helpful
helpful in British English
(ˈhɛlpfʊl)
adjective
serving a useful function; giving help
Derived forms
helpfully (ˈhelpfully)
adverb
helpfulness (ˈhelpfulness)
noun
helpful in American English
(ˈhɛlpfəl)
adjective
giving help; of service; useful
Derived forms
helpfully (ˈhelpfully)
adverb
helpfulness (ˈhelpfulness)
noun
Examples of 'helpful' in a sentence
helpful
It is also helpful for the researchers and engineers building the technology.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
It may be helpful to you.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There's also helpful information on your consumer rights.
The Sun (2016)
That's really helpful to us all.
The Sun (2016)
Yes, it is smart without being stuffy and the helpful staff only add to the relaxing feel.
The Sun (2016)
I have always found their staff to be helpful, knowledgeable and courteous.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I also found it helpful that he didn't suddenly treat me differently or shower me with presents.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
On this subject men, too, are given some helpful advice.
The Sun (2016)
It may be helpful or commercially sensible to notify other data controllers, although organisations are not obliged to do so under the DPA.
Computing (2010)
This information is helpful in comparing the size of your deductions with the average amounts claimed.
Christianity Today (2000)
The bark of trees is often helpful in identifying them in winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There are a couple of books you may find helpful.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The cut to corporation and employer national insurance contributions is also helpful.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There are those moments of having to reassure yourself that this really is helpful.
Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)
Managers often find it helpful to look at how their project would fare under different scenarios.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
The staff were most helpful and a new replacement was totally unexpected but greatly welcomed.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But they are often the most helpful in raising standards in the team.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It may therefore be helpful to read these chapters two or three times.
Irwin, Ann Stammering in Young Children (1988)
The website covers the top ten emigration destinations worldwide and includes helpful tips and advice.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The variety of the workshops was really helpful.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Knowing as much as you can about the problem is helpful in finding solutions.
Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)
The rooms are large and comfortable and the staff helpful and friendly.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The book is a mine of research and helpful information.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
An external source of reference is often helpful when a whole family feels itself "lost" in grief in this way.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
In other languages
helpful
British English: helpful /ˈhɛlpfʊl/ ADJECTIVE
If someone is helpful, they help you by doing work for you or by giving you advice or information.
The staff in the head office were helpful.
American English: helpful
Arabic: مُفِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: útil
Chinese: 有帮助的
Croatian: uslužan
Czech: ochotný
Danish: hjælpsom
Dutch: behulpzaam
European Spanish: servicial
Finnish: avulias
French: utile
German: hilfsbereit
Greek: εξυπηρετικός
Italian: utile
Japanese: 役に立つ
Korean: 유용한
Norwegian: hjelpsom
Polish: pomocny
European Portuguese: útil
Romanian: util
Russian: полезный
Latin American Spanish: servicial
Swedish: hjälpsam
Thai: เป็นประโยชน์
Turkish: yardımcı
Ukrainian: корисний
Vietnamese: có ích
Chinese translation of 'helpful'
helpful
(ˈhɛlpful)
adj
[person]有用的 (yǒuyòng de)
[advice, suggestion]有建设(設)性的 (yǒu jiànshèxìng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
giving help
The staff in the London office are helpful.
Synonyms
cooperative
I made every effort to be cooperative.
accommodating
Not every friend is so accommodating.
kind
He was a very kind man, full of common sense.
caring
He is a wonderful person, very gentle and caring.
friendly
He has been friendly to me.
neighbourly
I invited them to dinner as a neighbourly gesture of goodwill.
sympathetic
It may be that he sees you only as a sympathetic friend.
supportive
They were always supportive of each other.
benevolent
a most benevolent employer
considerate
beneficent
2 (adjective)
The catalogue includes helpful information.
Synonyms
useful
The police gained useful information about the organisation.
practical
clothes which are practical as well as stylish
productive
a productive relationship
profitable
a profitable exchange of ideas
constructive
Both men described the talks as frank, friendly and constructive.
serviceable
His Arabic was serviceable enough.
3 (adjective)
It is often helpful to have someone with you when you get bad news.
Synonyms
beneficial
vitamins which are beneficial to health
advantageous
Free exchange of goods was advantageous to all.
expedient
It might be expedient to keep this information to yourself.