Word
helpless
Phoneticshelp·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛɫpɫəs/
UK/hˈɛlpləs/
Definitions
01unable to act or defend oneself
B1 · Intermediate
adj. unable to look after yourself or protect yourself from a difficult situation.
adj. lacking the power or resources to act independently or defend oneself against external forces.
“The kitten looked small and helpless in the middle of the busy road.”
“The villagers felt helpless as the floodwaters rose, knowing they lacked the equipment to divert the river away from their homes.”
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Antonyms
02uncontrollable
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes a feeling or reaction that you cannot stop or control.
adj. describing an involuntary or uncontrollable emotional state or physical reaction.
“The joke was so funny that the audience broke into helpless laughter.”
“She was overcome by a sense of helpless rage when she realised the contract had been altered without her consent.”
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03beyond saving
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adj. describes a situation where there is no hope of being saved.
adj. referring to a condition or situation from which there is no possibility of rescue or salvation.
“The old sailor knew the ship was in a helpless state after the storm.”
“In the final chapter, the protagonist faces a helpless doom, resigned to the fact that no intervention can alter his tragic fate.”
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Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English helples, from Old English helplēas (“helpless”) from Proto-Germanic helpōlausaz, equivalent to help + -less. Compare Dutch hulpeloos (“helpless”), German hilflos (“helpless”), Danish hjælpeløs (“helpless”) and Swedish hjälplös (“helpless”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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