assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsi-stənt 

1

: a person who assists someone : helper

also : a person holding an assistantship

2

: a device or product that provides assistance

software assistants

personal digital assistant

see pda entry 1

assistant adjective

Synonyms

• adjunct
• adjutant
• aid
• aide
• apprentice
• coadjutor
• deputy
• helper
• helpmate
• helpmeet
• lieutenant
• mate
• sidekick

Examples of assistant in a Sentence

an assistant to the college president

an assistant to the store manager

a wealthy executive who has a personal assistant

Recent Examples on the Web

But what makes Android XR different from anything else and prior versions is that it’s developed with Google’s Gemini assistant at its core. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024

Goldwasser began at Breakdown Services but launched her casting career as an assistant to Stuart Howard in New York City. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024

After working as her assistant for a year, Wang shared an office with Mellen for nearly 14 years at Vogue. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024

To shake her up, Jean Dewberry (Maya Rudolph), the head of Dream Productions, assigns her nephew, Xeni (Richard Ayoade), to be Paula’s new assistant. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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" — more at assist entry 1

Note: In the case of both this word and assistance Modern English has chosen the French form with -a- in the suffix rather than Latin -e-.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing assistant

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

Kids Definition

assistant

noun

as·​sis·​tant ə-ˈsis-tənt 

: a person who assists another : helper

assistant adjective