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REFERENCE

helpless

adj.
US //ˈhɛɫpɫəs// UK //hˈɛlpləs// help·less
  1. 1 unable to act or defend oneself (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    unable to look after yourself or protect yourself from a difficult situation.

    lacking the power or resources to act independently or defend oneself against external forces.

    Example

    The kitten looked small and helpless in the middle of the busy road.

    Example

    The villagers felt helpless as the floodwaters rose, knowing they lacked the equipment to divert the river away from their homes.
  2. 2 uncontrollable (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes a feeling or reaction that you cannot stop or control.

    describing an involuntary or uncontrollable emotional state or physical reaction.

    Example

    The joke was so funny that the audience broke into helpless laughter.

    Example

    She was overcome by a sense of helpless rage when she realised the contract had been altered without her consent.
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  1. 3 beyond saving (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    describes a situation where there is no hope of being saved.

    referring to a condition or situation from which there is no possibility of rescue or salvation.

    Example

    The old sailor knew the ship was in a helpless state after the storm.

    Example

    In the final chapter, the protagonist faces a helpless doom, resigned to the fact that no intervention can alter his tragic fate.
    • salvageable
Origin

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”).

Word family

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