Work and business / B2

uh-SIST-uh-nt/əˈsɪstənt/

An assistant is a person who helps someone in their job: a teaching assistant, a personal assistant (PA). Helper is everyday and less job-like; deputy is more official and can act in someone’s place. Assistant can also be an adjective (assistant manager). In speech, the person who helps or TA is enough in schools. Do not use it as a polite word for a machine (that is a tool or an app).

Meaning

A person who helps someone in their job.

Examples

• “The teaching assistant marked the homework.”
• “The teaching assistant ran the small-group reading while the teacher marked.”
• “She started as an assistant and now manages the whole office.”

Good to know

A helper at work. Adjective: assistant manager. Everyday: helper. School: teaching assistant (TA). Stronger/official: deputy.

Near in meaning

helper

Topics

New