Word
helplessness
Phoneticshelp·less·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛɫpɫəsnəs/
UK/hˈɛlpləsnəs/
Definition
n. the feeling that you cannot do anything to change a situation or help someone else. It is a strong feeling of being stuck and unable to act.
n. the state of being unable to influence or change a situation, often accompanied by a sense of despair or lack of control.
Examples
“The feeling of helplessness grew as the storm continued.”
“Witnessing the accident without being able to assist left him with a deep sense of helplessness.”
“The protagonist's internal struggle is defined by a profound helplessness regarding her family's financial decline, despite her own efforts to find a solution.”
Examples
simple
“The feeling of helplessness grew as the storm continued.”
contextual
“Witnessing the accident without being able to assist left him with a deep sense of helplessness.”
complex
“The protagonist's internal struggle is defined by a profound helplessness regarding her family's financial decline, despite her own efforts to find a solution.”
Etymology
From helpless + -ness.
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/helplessness