Assistant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ə-ˈsi-stənt/ as·sis·tant

Meaning & Definition of Assistant

Assistant (noun)

  1. a person who assists someone, helper; also, a person holding an assistantship
  2. a device or product that provides assistance

Assistant (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who helps a more skilled person

    "the chief assistant to the director"

    similar: adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick
    related: attendant, handmaiden, maid, maidservant, scullion, servant, auxiliary, legman, subordinate, underling, employee, hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker, gal Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, right hand, aide-de-camp

Assistant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in helping, assisting

    similar: adjuvant, assisting, helping, supportive, tributary, complementary, contributory, secondary, subordinate, subservient, subsidiary, added, additional, another, further, dispensable, excess, nonessential, superfluous, surplus, unessential, backup, makeshift, substitute, accessorial, accessory, appurtenant, auxiliary, peripheral, supplemental, supplementary
    opposite: chief, main, principal, basic, fundamental, primary, prime, all-important, essential, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assistant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assistant:

adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick, adjuvant, assisting, helping, supportive, tributary, complementary, contributory, secondary, subordinate, subservient, subsidiary, added, additional, another, further, dispensable, excess, nonessential, superfluous, surplus, unessential, backup, makeshift, substitute, accessorial, accessory, appurtenant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Assistant

Words with the opposite meaning of Assistant:

chief, main, principal, basic, fundamental, primary, prime, all-important, essential, imperative, indispensable, integral, necessary, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital

Related Words for Assistant

attendant, handmaiden, maid, maidservant, scullion, servant, legman, underling, employee, hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker, gal Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, right hand, aide-de-camp

Word Forms of Assistant

Derived words: assistant (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Assistant

Middle English assistent, borrowed from Anglo-French assistant, assistent, noun derivative of assistant, assistent, adjective, "assisting, helpful," from present participle of assister "to help, aid" assist:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assistant

Words & Phrases Containing Assistant

assistant professor, personal digital assistant, physician assistant, physician's assistant, sales assistant, teaching assistant

Frequently Asked Questions about Assistant

What does "Assistant" mean?

"Assistant" means a person who assists someone, helper; also, a person holding an assistantship. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a person who assists someone, helper; also, a person holding an assistantship. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Assistant"?

Other words for "Assistant" include adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, coadjutor, deputy and helper. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assistant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assistant"?

There are 64 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assistant". Common alternatives include adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, apprentice, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate and helpmeet.

What is the opposite of "Assistant"?

Antonyms of "Assistant" include chief, main, principal, basic, fundamental, primary, prime and all-important.

How do you use "Assistant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Assistant" in a sentence: "the chief assistant to the director".

Is "Assistant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assistant" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Assistant" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Assistant" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Assistant"?

"Assistant" is pronounced /ə-ˈsi-stənt/ and divided into syllables as as·sis·tant.