Dictionary

aid en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /eɪd/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• (US) audio

Etymology

From Middle English aide, eide, ayde, from Old French eide, aide, from aidier, from Latin adiūtō, adiūtāre (“to assist, help”). Cognates include Spanish ayuda, Portuguese ajuda and Italian aiuto.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) Help; assistance; succor, relief.
   • “[…] it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.” 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
   • Musk said he checked with Trump “a few times” and Trump confirmed he wants to shut down the agency, which dispenses billions in humanitarian aid and development funding annually. 2025 February 2, Jennifer Hansler and Alex Marquardt, “Senior USAID security officials put on leave after attempting to refuse Musk’s DOGE access to agency systems”, in CNN, archived from the original on 03 Mar 2025:
   • He came to my aid when I was foundering.
   • An unconstitutional method of obtaining aid. 1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:
2. (countable) A helper; an assistant.
   • It is not good that man should bee alone, let vs make vnto him an aide like to himselfe. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Tobit 8:6:
3. (countable) Something which helps; a material source of help.
   • The human is so poorly designed for aquatic adventures that he cannot even see in the water without artificial aids. 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 16:
   • Slimming aids include dietary supplements and appetite suppressants.
   • The ability of a segment of a glass sphere to magnify whatever is placed before it was known around the year 1000, when the spherical segment was called a reading stone[…]. Scribes, illuminators, and scholars held such stones directly over manuscript pages as an aid in seeing what was being written, drawn, or read. 2013 September-October, Henry Petroski, “The Evolution of Eyeglasses”, in American Scientist:
4. (UK, countable) An historical subsidy granted to the crown by Parliament for an extraordinary purpose, such as a war effort.
   • In this parliament was granted to the king for defence against the Scots two aids and two quindecims, the which two aids did not extend over two quindecims. 2019, Julia Boffey, Henry VII's London in the Great Chronicle, page 71:
5. (UK, countable) An exchequer loan.
6. (countable) A pecuniary tribute paid by a vassal to his feudal lord on special occasions.
7. (alt-of, alternative, countable) Alternative form of aide (“an aide-de-camp”).
   alt of aide
   • Suddenly, the general's aid entered the room and walked in a straight line, coming to a halt in front of the desk, standing at attention, waiting for the general to recognize him, allowing the aid to speak. Robert Michael Wills, They Came from the Drain (page 206)
8. (countable, in-plural) The rider's use of hands, legs, voice, etc. to control the horse.

Forms

Deriveds

aid-major (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · grant-in-aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · kool-aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · deaf aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · hearing aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aid-de-camp (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aidless (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aid worker (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aidwashing (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aidful (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · subaid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · band-aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · teaching aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aid package (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · ladies' aid society (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aid station (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aidman (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · pray in aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · come to someone's aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · sex aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · development aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · visual aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aid dog (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · legal aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · sleep aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · aid climbing (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · foreign aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · marital aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · navaid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · in aid of (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · job aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · finding aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · penetration aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · impact aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · soldiers' aid society (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · first aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · rinse aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · state aid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · Medicaid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · nonaid (Terms derived from aid (noun)) · buoyancy aid (Terms derived from aid (noun))

Translations (132)

nl hulp (help; succor; assistance; relief) · bg помощник (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · ga cabhair (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ms pertolongan (help; succor; assistance; relief) · cs pomoc (help; succor; assistance; relief) · eo helpo (help; succor; assistance; relief) · fi apuneuvo (something which helps; a material source of help) · da hjælpemiddel (something which helps; a material source of help) · hi मदद (help; succor; assistance; relief) · fr aide (something which helps; a material source of help) · gl axuda (help; succor; assistance; relief) · aii ܐܘܼܫܦܵܐ (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu segítség (help; succor; assistance; relief) · nl helper (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · fi assistentti (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · ga áis (something which helps; a material source of help) · sq ndihmës (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · txb pānto (help; succor; assistance; relief) · wa aidance (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu támogatás (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ga fóir (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu segítőtárs (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · ro ajutor (help; succor; assistance; relief) · grc βοήθεια (help; succor; assistance; relief) · pt auxílio (help; succor; assistance; relief) · la subsidium (something which helps; a material source of help) · cs pomůcka (something which helps; a material source of help) · fi apuväline (something which helps; a material source of help) · pt ajuda (something which helps; a material source of help) · pt ajuda (help; succor; assistance; relief) · he סִיּוּעַ (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu segéd (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · sk pomoc (help; succor; assistance; relief) · uk по́міч (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ga cúnamh (help; succor; assistance; relief) · es ayudante (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · bg по́мощ (help; succor; assistance; relief) · fr aide (subsidy granted to the crown by parliament) · enm aide (help; succor; assistance; relief) · it aiuto (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ru помо́щник (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · bg помощ (something which helps; a material source of help) · nl bijstand (help; succor; assistance; relief) · es recurso (something which helps; a material source of help) · es asistente (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · de Hilfe (help; succor; assistance; relief) · pdt Help (help; succor; assistance; relief) · tr yardım (help; succor; assistance; relief) · de Helfer (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · tr yardımcı (something which helps; a material source of help) · nl aide (subsidy granted to the crown by parliament) · ja 支援 (something which helps; a material source of help) · sh по̏мо̄ћ (help; succor; assistance; relief) · tl ayuda (something which helps; a material source of help) · es remedio (something which helps; a material source of help) · es auxilio (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hy օգնություն (help; succor; assistance; relief) · tr yardımcı (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · sl pomọ̑č (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu segéderő (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · pl pomoc (help; succor; assistance; relief) · fr aide (help; succor; assistance; relief) · mk помош (help; succor; assistance; relief) · grc ἀρωγή (help; succor; assistance; relief) · aii ܣܘܼܝܵܥܵܐ (help; succor; assistance; relief) · nl assistent (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · nl hulpje (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · ja 助け (help; succor; assistance; relief) · pt auxiliar (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · nn hjelpemiddel (something which helps; a material source of help) · pl pomocnik (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · aii ܥܘܼܕ݂ܪܵܢܵܐ (help; succor; assistance; relief) · txb upacai (help; succor; assistance; relief) · it aiutante (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · enm aide (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · da bistand (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu segély (help; succor; assistance; relief) · tr yardım (something which helps; a material source of help) · pt socorro (help; succor; assistance; relief) · he עֶזְרָה (help; succor; assistance; relief) · eo helpilo (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ga cuidiú (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ota امداد (help; succor; assistance; relief) · el αρωγή (help; succor; assistance; relief) · nb hjelpemiddel (something which helps; a material source of help) · sh pȍmōć (help; succor; assistance; relief) · fr aide (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · ja 助手 (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · da hjælp (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ja 援助 (something which helps; a material source of help) · scn ajutu (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ga fóirithint (help; succor; assistance; relief) · fi apu (something which helps; a material source of help) · hu segédeszköz (something which helps; a material source of help) · mn тусламж (help; succor; assistance; relief) · uk допомо́га (help; succor; assistance; relief) · be дапамо́га (help; succor; assistance; relief) · chn elann (help; succor; assistance; relief) · pt auxílio (something which helps; a material source of help) · it aiuto (something which helps; a material source of help) · pt ajudante (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · fi apu (help; succor; assistance; relief) · te సహాయము (help; succor; assistance; relief) · nl hulpmiddel (something which helps; a material source of help) · da hjælper (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · uk помічни́к (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · la adiutorium (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ja 援助 (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ar مُسَاعَدَة (help; succor; assistance; relief) · es ayuda (help; succor; assistance; relief) · tr medet (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu kisegítő (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · fi apukeino (something which helps; a material source of help) · ru по́мощь (help; succor; assistance; relief) · la auxilium (help; succor; assistance; relief) · hu segédlet (something which helps; a material source of help) · de Hilfsmittel (something which helps; a material source of help) · nl bede (subsidy granted to the crown by parliament) · mbb tavang (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ota یاردم (help; succor; assistance; relief) · mhn hilf (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ro ajutor (something which helps; a material source of help) · srn yepiman (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · fi apulainen (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · hi सहायता (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ja 支援 (help; succor; assistance; relief) · sq ndihmë (help; succor; assistance; relief) · scn aiutu (help; succor; assistance; relief) · enm aide (subsidy granted to the crown by parliament) · tl ayuda (help; succor; assistance; relief) · ro ajutor (a person that promotes or helps in something being done; a helper) · de Hilfe (something which helps; a material source of help)

aid en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /eɪd/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• (US) audio

Etymology

From Middle English aiden, from Old French eider, aider, aidier, from Latin adiuto, frequentative of adiuvō (“assist”, verb).

Meanings

1. (transitive) To provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist.
   • Smith is aided in his quest by an elfin, time-jumping alien with psychic powers played by another Coen brothers veteran, A Serious Man star Michael Stuhlbarg. 2012 May 24, Nathan Rabin, “Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 18 Aug 2012:
   • You speedy helpers […] Appear and aid me in this enterprise. 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:
2. To climb with the use of aids such as pitons.
   • Rather than climb into a bottomless off-width crack, we aided an 80-foot A2 to A3 crack to the top of a pedestal. By very tenuous face climbing, we gained entry to the crack, which we followed to a tree beneath the big chimney. 1979, American Alpine Journal, page 193:

Forms

Deriveds

nonaided · aider · aidance · unaiding · underaid · aidable · aid and abet · unaided

Relateds

aide-de-camp · aidant

Synonyms

support · bestand · promote · cooperate · succour · befriend · assist · serve · sustain · relieve · help · succor

Translations (47)

pt auxiliar (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · gl axudar (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · gl acorrer (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hu elősegít (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hu segít (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · pl pomagać (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · da hjælpe (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · la auxilior (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · nl bijstaan (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · de helfen (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · be памага́ць (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · la adiuvō (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · cs napomáhat (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · es ayudar (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · cy cymorthwyo (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · ru помога́ть (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · ja 補助する (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · it aiutare (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · eo helpi (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · enm recoveren (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · pt ajudar (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · bg подпомагам (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · fur judâ (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hu megsegít (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · fr aider (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · ia adjuvar (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · sv bistå (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · ro ajuta (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · grc βοηθέω (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · da bistå (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · chn mam'-ook elann (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · be памагчы́ (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hy օգնել (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · uk підтри́мувати (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · fi auttaa (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hu segédkezik (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · ia juvar (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · cs asistovat (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · cs pomáhat (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · uk допомога́ти (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hu támogat (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · ja 援助する (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · nl helpen (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · hu felkarol (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · nah macoa (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · la iuvō (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist) · bg помагам (to provide support to; to further the progress of; to help; to assist)