Helpless

Pronunciation: /ˈhɛlpləs/

Definitions of helpless

adjective feeling or showing a lack of power or ability; unable to help oneself; powerless

Example Sentences

A1 I felt helpless when I couldn't find my way back home.

A2 The lost puppy looked so helpless wandering the streets.

B1 She was left feeling helpless after losing her job.

B2 The hiker felt helpless as the storm approached, with no shelter in sight.

C1 The refugee felt completely helpless in a foreign country with no support system.

C2 The scientist was left feeling helpless as the virus continued to spread uncontrollably.

Examples of helpless in a Sentence

formal The helpless child was found wandering the streets alone.

informal I felt so helpless when my car broke down on the side of the road.

slang I was totally helpless when my phone died and I couldn't call for a ride.

figurative She felt like a helpless bystander as the argument escalated.

Grammatical Forms of helpless

• past tense: helped
• plural: helplesses
• comparative: more helpless
• superlative: most helpless
• present tense: helpless
• future tense: will be helpless
• perfect tense: have helped
• continuous tense: is being helpless
• singular: helpless
• positive degree: helpless
• infinitive: to help
• gerund: helping
• participle: helping

Origin and Evolution of helpless

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'helpless' originated from the Old English word 'helpleas' which was a combination of 'help' and '-less' suffix meaning without help.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'helpless' has retained its original meaning of lacking assistance or support, but has also evolved to encompass a broader sense of vulnerability and inability to act independently.