assistant
A person who ranks below a senior professional and aids them in their duties, often handling specialized tasks or administrative burdens. In a professional or academic context, an assistant often possesses significant expertise but operates under the direction of a superior to facilitate complex operations.
Examples
3 of 5The shop assistant was incredibly patient while I decided which coat to purchase.
The shop assistant was incredibly patient while I decided which coat to purchase.
The Executive Assistant manages the intricate scheduling and sensitive communications for the board of directors.
The Executive Assistant manages the intricate scheduling and sensitive communications for the board of directors.
I'll have my assistant ping you with the details of the meeting later this afternoon.
I'll have my assistant ping you with the details of the meeting later this afternoon.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Ant' (assist-ANT) - a small but vital worker that assists the colony in moving large objects.
Quick Quiz
The newly hired _____ will be responsible for handling the senator's daily correspondence.
Correct!
The correct answer is: assistant
Examples
The shop assistant was incredibly patient while I decided which coat to purchase.
everydayThe shop assistant was incredibly patient while I decided which coat to purchase.
The Executive Assistant manages the intricate scheduling and sensitive communications for the board of directors.
formalThe Executive Assistant manages the intricate scheduling and sensitive communications for the board of directors.
I'll have my assistant ping you with the details of the meeting later this afternoon.
informalI'll have my assistant ping you with the details of the meeting later this afternoon.
The research assistant played a pivotal role in the longitudinal study by meticulously coding the qualitative data.
academicThe research assistant played a pivotal role in the longitudinal study by meticulously coding the qualitative data.
Our administrative assistant is the primary point of contact for all vendor-related inquiries and procurement processes.
businessOur administrative assistant is the primary point of contact for all vendor-related inquiries and procurement processes.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
assistant to the director
assistant to the director
virtual assistant
virtual assistant
graduate assistant
graduate assistant
Often Confused With
Assistant refers to the person who helps, whereas assistance refers to the act of helping or the help itself.
An associate is often a peer or partner in a professional firm, while an assistant usually occupies a lower hierarchical position.
Usage Notes
The term can describe a wide range of roles from entry-level retail positions to high-level 'Assistant Directors' who hold significant power. Always clarify the professional field (e.g., 'medical assistant') to specify the required expertise.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'assistance' (noun, abstract) when they mean 'assistant' (noun, person). Avoid saying 'I need an assistance' if you are looking for a human helper.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Ant' (assist-ANT) - a small but vital worker that assists the colony in moving large objects.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'assistere', meaning 'to stand by', which combines 'ad-' (to) and 'sistere' (to cause to stand).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In North American universities, 'Teaching Assistants' (TAs) are usually graduate students who lead smaller discussion groups or grade papers for large lecture courses.
Quick Quiz
The newly hired _____ will be responsible for handling the senator's daily correspondence.
Correct!
The correct answer is: assistant
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free