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Aid or Aide?
Aid or Aide?
What is the difference between "aid" and "aide"?Aid
- "Aid" means "help" or "assistance."
- "To aid" means "to help" or "to assist."
- "An aide" is a "helper" or an "assistant." (In other words, "an aide" is a person.)


(Note: "Aid" and "aide" are homonyms, i.e., pronounced the same but with different meanings.)
A Video Summary
Here is a short video summarizing the difference between "aid" and "aide."Aid
The word "aid" means "help" or "assistance." It is commonly seen as an adjective, a noun, or a verb. (As a verb, it means "to help" or "to assist.")Examples:
- Be bold and mighty powers will come to your aid.
(Canadian writer Basil King)
- I have known sorrow and learned to aid the wretched.
(Roman poet Virgil)
Aide
The noun "aide" means "a helper" or "an assistant." "An aide" is a person.Examples:
- General McChrystal and his aides told the unvarnished truth.
- The Libyan leader caused a scene at the African Heads of State Summit in Munyonyo when he slapped one of his aides for taking him to a wrong venue.
Common Terms with "Aid" and "Aide"
Common terms with the word "aid":- Aid and abet
- Band Aid
- to come to (someone's) aid
- in aid of
- Aide memoire
- aide-de-camp
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?