assistant
gb/əsˈɪstənt/ us/əsˈɪstənt/
A2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A person who helps another
A person who helps another person do their work or tasks.
Usage pattern:
an assistant to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'assistant' (a person) with 'assistance' (help). They are different words and cannot be swapped.
Synonyms
helper (More general and informal; can refer to anyone providing help, not necessarily in a formal role.)
|
aide (Often used in political, governmental, or military contexts for someone assisting a leader.)
Antonyms
supervisor (A supervisor oversees and directs others rather than assisting them.)
Collocations
personal assistant
|teaching assistant
|assistant manager
|shop assistant
|research assistant
Themes
work
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She works as an assistant to the marketing director.
- The shop assistant helped me find the right size.
- He hired an assistant to manage his schedule.
- My assistant will contact you with the details.
- The professor's assistant graded the assignments.
Learner examples
- The assistant answered the phone.
- I asked the shop assistant for help.
- Her assistant carries her bag.
- The teacher has an assistant in the class.
- My assistant writes my emails.
Grammar
Dictionary form
assistant
IPA
GB/əsˈɪstənt/
US/əsˈɪstənt/
Syllables & stress
as - sist - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sist)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: assistant
- Plural: assistants
Word family
Forms
assistants
noun
Core family
assist
verb A2
assistance
noun A2
Advanced or less common
assistive
adjective
Expressions
personal assistant
1/pˈɚsənəl əsˈɪstənt/
fixed phrase
Employee helping with personal work
A person who works for someone to help with personal and work tasks.
Examples
- She hired a personal assistant to manage her calendar and travel plans.
- My personal assistant handles most of my phone calls.
shop assistant
1/ʃˈɑp əsˈɪstənt/
fixed phrase
Person serving customers in a shop
A person who works in a store and helps customers.
Examples
- The shop assistant showed me where the bread was.
- I asked the shop assistant about the price.
teaching assistant
1/tˈit͡ʃɪŋ əsˈɪstənt/
fixed phrase
Helper in a classroom setting
A person who helps a teacher in class, often a student learning to teach.
Examples
- The teaching assistant helped the students with their assignments.
- Our teaching assistant leads study sessions twice a week.