as‧sist 1 S3 W3 AC / əsɪst / 动词 formal
1 [不及物和及物动词] to help someone to do something
assist (somebody) with/in something
You will be employed to assist in the development of new equipment. ► Do not say ‘assist someone to do something’. Say assist someone with something or assist someone in doing something : The teacher assists the children with their tasks. | someone who can assist them in planning their careers
2 [及物动词] to make it easier for someone to do something :
They had no maps to assist them.
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In everyday English, people usually say help rather than assist :
We’ll help in any way we can.
They have special software to help them process invoices.
THESAURUS
help to make it easier for someone to do something, by doing something for them or giving them something they need : Is there anything I can do to help? | Dad, I can’t do my homework. Will you help me?
assist formal to help someone : He was employed to assist the manager in his duties. | Some of the guests assisted with the preparation of the food.
aid formal to help someone to do something – used especially when saying that something helps your body to do something : Coffee can aid concentration. | Fennel aids the digestion. | There are plenty of materials to aid the teacher.
help out to help someone, especially because there are not enough people to do all the work, or they need someone to give them something : Organizing the school trip will be a lot of work, so I need some volunteers to help out. | My parents have helped us out on several occasions by sending us money.
give somebody a hand informal to help someone to do something, especially by carrying or lifting things : Can you give me a hand moving these boxes? | Dave wants to paint the kitchen and I promised I’d give him a hand.
lend a hand informal to help someone, especially when there are not enough people to do something : Scott is moving on Saturday and we promised to lend a hand. | I went over to see if I could lend a hand.