adj.
Pronunciation: ' hel-pl ə s; Southern often ' hep-l ə s also ' he ə p-
Function: adjective
Date: before 12th century
1 : lacking protection or support : DEFENSELESS
2 a : marked by an inability to act or react <the crowd looked on in helpless horror ― Current Biog. > b : not able to be controlled or restrained < helpless laughter>
– help · less · ly adverb
– help · less · ness noun