Pronunciation: [hˈɛlpləs] (IPA) 
The word "helpless" is spelled H-E-L-P-L-E-S-S. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈhɛlp.ləs/. The "h" at the beginning is pronounced with a breathy "h" sound. The "e" is pronounced like "eh", the "l" is pronounced normally, and the "p" is pronounced as a "p" sound. The "l" and "e" sounds are repeated, followed by the "s" at the end, which is pronounced normally. "Helpless" means feeling or showing no hope or worth.
Helpless is an adjective that describes a state of being in which an individual lacks the ability or power to act or defend themselves effectively. It refers to a condition of vulnerability or dependence, resulting from a lack of physical, mental, emotional, or other relevant capabilities.
In a physical sense, helplessness may arise when one is physically impaired, injured, or unable to move. It can also manifest in terms of lacking the strength, skill, or resources to handle a particular task or situation.
Mentally or emotionally, helplessness can stem from a feeling of being overwhelmed, out of control, or uncertain about how to deal with a given problem or circumstance. It may imply a sense of resignation or defeat, where one feels powerless to alter the course of events or impact their own life circumstances positively.
Helplessness often suggests a need for assistance or support from others. It implies a dependence on external aid or intervention to alleviate the predicament or generate a change. However, it is important to note that the concept of helplessness can be subjective, varying from person to person based on their individual abilities, perspectives, or circumstances. Thus, what one person may perceive as helplessness, another may not.
Unable to succour one's self, and wanting assistance.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "helpless" has its roots in Old English. It is derived from the combination of the word "help" and the suffix "-less". The Old English word "help" meant "to aid, assist, or support". The suffix "-less" is used to indicate a lack or absence of something. Therefore, "helpless" originally meant "without help or assistance", describing someone or something that is unable to be helped, assisted, or supported.
