Word
Definition
adj. giving useful help or making a situation easier for you. You use this to describe people who do things for others or things that provide good information.
adj. providing assistance or useful information; beneficial in achieving a specific goal. Often used to describe both human agents and inanimate resources like books or advice.
Examples
“The staff at the hotel are very helpful.”
“I found a very helpful guide online that explained how to fix my broken laptop screen.”
“While the initial feedback was critical, the reviewer provided several helpful suggestions that allowed the team to refine the final product before the official launch.”
Examples
simple
“The staff at the hotel are very helpful.”
contextual
“I found a very helpful guide online that explained how to fix my broken laptop screen.”
complex
“While the initial feedback was critical, the reviewer provided several helpful suggestions that allowed the team to refine the final product before the official launch.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “helpful” in context.
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' or 'for', or an infinitive with 'to' ('helpful to know').
Pitfall
He is very helpfully
He is very helpful
Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'helpful' with the adverb 'helpfully' when describing a person's character.
Etymology
From Middle English helpful; equivalent to help + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/helpful
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0