Word
aide
US/ˈeɪd/
UK/ˈeɪd/
Definitions
01political or professional assistant
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person who helps a leader or politician with their daily work and decisions.
n. a confidential assistant to a high-ranking official, often responsible for administrative tasks, research, or communication.
“The senator asked his top aide to prepare a report for the meeting.”
“A senior White House aide briefed the press on the upcoming diplomatic mission to ensure the administration's message remained consistent.”
Usage
Commonly used in political journalism and government contexts.
Pitfall
The government sent medical aide to the region.
The government sent medical aid to the region.
Use 'aide' for a person who helps; use 'aid' for help itself or resources like money and food.
02military assistant
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Military Formal · Technical
n. a military officer who acts as an assistant to a high-ranking officer.
n. a military officer who serves as a personal assistant to a superior officer; a shortened form of aide-de-camp.
“The general arrived at the base accompanied by a young aide.”
“The colonel relied on his aide to manage his complex schedule and handle sensitive correspondence with the Ministry of Defence.”
Usage
Often used as a synonym for 'aide-de-camp' in formal military writing.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “aide” in context.
Verb
01. aide confirms
“A presidential aide confirmed that the meeting would take place.”
noun + verb
02. aide suggests
“An aide suggested that the policy might be revised next month.”
noun + verb
03. appoint aide
“The governor plans to appoint a new legislative aide by next week.”
verb + noun
04. consult aide
“The senator paused to consult an aide before answering the question.”
verb + noun
05. dismiss aide
“The administration dismissed a key aide for leaking confidential data.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. close aide
“The president's close aides were briefed on the security threat.”
adj + noun
07. military aide
“The general was accompanied by a military aide during the briefing.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. aide to
“She served as a special aide to the Secretary of State.”
noun + prep
09. circle of aides
“The candidate relies on a small, tight-knit circle of aides.”
noun + prep + noun
10. act as an aide
“He was chosen to act as an aide during the international summit.”
11. aides close to the
“Aides close to the governor say he is considering a run for president.”
12. long-time political aide
“She has been a long-time political aide to the mayor.”
Real-World Examples
“When she took office she rebuffed aides who suggested she start tweeting: "People don't say 'pass me the hashtag newspaper, or I'd like a hashtag coffee'." Announcements were to be made formally.” “One of Trump's longest-serving and most loyal aides, 35-year-old Harp is trusted with typing out his Truth Social posts, among other top responsibilities.” “He wants to build his ballroom” and travel with his close aide Natalie Harp on the luxury jet gifted to him by the emir of Qatar.” “Brazil’s federal police later concluded it had been a premeditated operation coordinated with Brazilian military officers and Bolsonaro aides, who had provided Cerimedo with the report.” Etymology
Borrowed from French aide ("aid; assistant", as in aide-de-camp (“field assistant”)). More at aid.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/aide