LookItUp

helpless

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈhɛlpləs/ · UK /ˈhelpləs/

helpless means: Unable to look after yourself, protect yourself, or do anything to improve a situation.

adjective

UNABLE TO ACTB1

Unable to look after yourself, protect yourself, or do anything to improve a situation.

  • The baby was helpless.
  • I felt helpless when my friend became ill.
  • Without their support, she would have been completely helpless.

Similar words: powerless, defenceless

Common phrases: feel helpless, helpless baby, completely helpless, helpless victim

OVERCOME BY FEELINGC1

Unable to control yourself because a feeling is very strong.

  • We were helpless with laughter.
  • She shook with helpless rage.
  • His joke sent us into helpless giggles.

How to use it: helpless with something (They were helpless with laughter at his story.)

Similar words: uncontrollable

Common phrases: helpless with laughter, helpless with rage, helpless giggles

UNCONTROLLABLEC2

A feeling or reaction is so strong that you cannot stop or control it.

  • She burst into helpless laughter.
  • He felt a helpless urge to cry.
  • Helpless rage filled her as she read the letter.

Similar words: uncontrollable, unrestrained

Opposites: controlled

Common phrases: helpless laughter, helpless urge, helpless rage

Questions about helpless

What does helpless mean?

Unable to look after yourself, protect yourself, or do anything to improve a situation.

What is helpless in other languages?

Türkçe: çaresiz · Español: indefenso · Français: impuissant · Deutsch: hilflos · Italiano: impotente · 日本語: 無力な

How do you pronounce helpless?

In American English /ˈhɛlpləs/; in British English /ˈhelpləs/.

How do you use helpless in a sentence?

The baby was helpless. I felt helpless when my friend became ill.

Learn helpless while you read

LookItUp shows the meaning that fits your sentence, in your language, and turns new words into quick practice cards.

Coming soon on the App Store LookItUp app for iPhone and iPad

helpless in other languages

More words