# helpless

/ˈhɛɫpɫəs/ (US) · /hˈɛlpləs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. unable to act or defend oneself

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. uncontrollable

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. beyond saving

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The tiny kitten looked small and helpless in the rain.
- I felt completely helpless as I watched the computer screen freeze during my final exam.
- The witness described a feeling of helpless frustration as the events unfolded too quickly for anyone to intervene or offer assistance.

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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.