Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

helplessness

/ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.91 in modern English

Syllables: help-less-ness
IPA: /ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/

17

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The state of being helpless.

Uncountable

noun

A feeling of inadequacy or impotence.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Near-synonyms: powerlessness, impotence"
"From the most ancient times to the present, in the crudest primitive tribe or the most magnificently ornamented civilization, man has found himself in a state of awed helplessness when confronted by the phenomena of strange illnesses or aberrations."
"ADAM: 'You are faced with overwhelming power. Accept your helplessness.'"
"Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do."

Etymology

From helpless + -ness.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/

Usage

Uncountable

Inflected Forms

helplessnesses (plural)

Phrases

learned helplessness

Frequently Paired Words

weakness

Synonyms

powerlessness impotence weakness impuissance

Questions

How do you pronounce helplessness?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/.
What does helplessness mean?: The state of being helpless.
Where does helplessness come from?: From helpless + -ness.

How to pronounce helplessness

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “helplessness”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “helplessness”.
Repeat and practice — Say “helplessness” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.