assistant

[ uh-sis-tuhnt ]

noun

1. a person who assists or gives aid and support; helper.
2. a person who is subordinate to another in rank, function, etc.; one holding a secondary rank in an office or post:

   He was assistant to the office manager.

   Synonyms: adjutant, aide

3. something that aids and supplements another.
4. a faculty member of a college or university who ranks below an instructor and whose responsibilities usually include grading papers, supervising laboratories, and assisting in teaching.

adjective

1. assisting; helpful.
2. serving in an immediately subordinate position; of secondary rank:

   an assistant coach.

assistant

/ əˈsɪstənt /

noun

1. 1. a person who assists, esp in a subordinate position
   2. ( as modifier )

      assistant manager

2. See shop assistant

adjective

1. archaic.
   helpful or useful as an aid

Other Words From

• nonas·sistant noun
• unas·sistant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assistant¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English assistent, from Latin assistent-, stem of assistēns “standing by,” present participle of assistere “to stand by, help”; assist

Example Sentences

"He explained about his brother and his autism, his mother who is a carer and a special needs assistant and I genuinely felt for him," she told the paper.

From BBC

It was a Smith step-back three in the second quarter that had Staley turning to one of her assistants in the bleachers with a big grin.

From Los Angeles Times

At the college level, a former player and an assistant coach at San Jose State filed a lawsuit to try to ban a trans player from playing in a championship game.

From Los Angeles Times

They scapegoated a USC assistant coach — costing him his job — and later had to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by this coach.

From Los Angeles Times

A Los Angeles assistant principal was arrested Friday on suspicion of molesting eight young children while working at a Santa Paula elementary school several years ago, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aide
• apprentice
• associate
• attendant
• backup
• colleague
• companion
• deputy
• friend
• partner
• representative
• secretary