# aide

/ˈeɪd/ (US) · /ˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aide
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. political or professional assistant

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who helps a leader or politician with their daily work and decisions.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. military assistant

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a military officer who acts as an assistant to a high-ranking officer.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The general asked his aide to prepare the morning report.
- A senior aide to the president confirmed that the new policy would be announced during the press conference tomorrow.
- While the minister handles public appearances, her closest aide manages the intricate details of legislative negotiations and maintains contact with key stakeholders behind the scenes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.