# assistant

/əˈsɪstənt/ (US) · /ɐsˈɪstənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assistant
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a helper

noun · CEFR A2

a person who helps someone else do their job or a specific task.

For teachers: a person who assists another in a subordinate or auxiliary capacity.

- The professor asked her research assistant to help organize the data.
- The executive assistant manages the CEO's complex schedule and ensures all briefing documents are prepared before the morning meetings.

Usage: Often used with a job title, such as 'teaching assistant' or 'personal assistant'.

### 2. a shop worker

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a person who works in a shop and helps customers.

For teachers: a person employed to serve customers in a retail environment.

- I asked the shop assistant if they had the shirt in a larger size.
- The sales assistant was highly commended for providing exceptional service to several demanding customers during the holiday rush.

Teaching tip: In American English, 'sales clerk' or 'sales associate' is more common than 'shop assistant'.

### 3. software tool

noun · CEFR B1

a computer program or app that helps you do something.

For teachers: a software feature or standalone program designed to guide a user through a task or automate simple functions.

- You can use the setup assistant to connect your new phone to the internet.
- The digital assistant uses voice recognition to help users manage their daily tasks and control smart home devices.

### 4. subordinate role

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

used to describe a person who is a helper or has a lower rank.

For teachers: acting in a subordinate or auxiliary capacity; typically used in job titles.

- He was promoted to assistant manager after working there for two years.
- The assistant director took over the production while the lead director was away on medical leave.

Usage: Almost always used as an attributive adjective before a noun.

## Examples

- The shop assistant helps me find the right shoes.
- The executive assistant manages the director's busy schedule and handles all incoming phone calls.
- While the lead researcher designed the experiment, her assistant was responsible for the meticulous daily data entry and equipment maintenance.

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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.