helpmeet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ArchaicArchaic, Biblical, Literary, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “helpmeet” mean?
A close companion, helper, or partner, especially a wife or husband.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A close companion, helper, or partner, especially a wife or husband.
A spouse or partner who provides essential support and companionship; more broadly, a close and indispensable associate in any endeavour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties. No significant regional usage difference.
Connotations
In both regions, it carries strong archaic, biblical, or poetic connotations. It may be used humorously to refer to a spouse in an overly formal or quaint way.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora, with a slight edge in American English due to higher prevalence of biblical language in certain registers.
Grammar
How to Use “helpmeet” in a Sentence
[Subject] served as a faithful helpmeet to [Partner].[Possessive] helpmeet[Article] (ideal/perfect) helpmeetVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in literary criticism, biblical studies, or historical linguistics discussing the etymology and evolution of the term.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern everyday conversation. Any use would be self-consciously old-fashioned or jocular.
Technical
Not used in any technical field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “helpmeet”
- Using it in modern, non-ironic contexts sounds unnatural. Confusing it with 'helpmate' (which is equally archaic but slightly more common). Misspelling as two words 'help meet'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no significant difference in meaning. Both are archaic terms for a supportive partner, especially a spouse. 'Helpmate' is a slightly later reformation of the original 'helpmeet' and is marginally more common in modern usage, though both are rare.
Yes, historically and theoretically it can refer to any spouse, though its biblical origin ('a help meet for him') and traditional usage have most often associated it with a wife.
Only if you are aiming for a distinctly archaic, biblical, or humorous tone. In a standard modern wedding speech, words like 'partner', 'spouse', or 'husband/wife' are far more natural.
It originates from a 17th-century misreading of the King James Bible translation of Genesis 2:18, which describes a "help meet for him" (meaning 'a helper suitable for him'). Readers mistakenly combined 'help' and 'meet' into a single noun.
A close companion, helper, or partner, especially a wife or husband.
Helpmeet is usually archaic, biblical, literary, humorous in register.
Helpmeet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛlpmiːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛlpˌmit/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[One's] helpmeet in life”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a partner you MEET to HELP you through life: your HELP-MEET.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE/ PARTNERSHIP IS A COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOUR (where partners are fellow workers).
Practice
Quiz
In modern usage, the word 'helpmeet' is primarily: