aide

aide — noun

1. a person employed to support an important official, especially in government or

1.nounC1
Definition

a person employed to support an important official, especially in government or the military, by helping with daily work and practical tasks.

Example

The mayor's aide handed reporters a copy of the new housing plan.

possessive pattern: the mayor's aide

After the speech, a senior aide led guests into the conference room.

common collocation: senior aide

Common collocations
  • senior aide
  • presidential aide
  • military aide
  • press aide
  • aide to the minister
Synonyms
  • assistant

    broader and much more common; it does not specifically suggest a government or military role

  • staffer

    informal; often used for someone working on a political team or in an office

  • secretary

    focuses more on office duties such as arranging meetings and handling papers

  • adjutant

    military and more formal; usually a specific officer role

Grammar Patterns

aide to + official

someone's aide

senior/presidential aide

Usage Note

Often linked to the person served: the minister's aide, a presidential aide, an aide to the general. In military contexts, it can refer to an officer assigned to help a higher-ranking officer.

Common Mistakes

She works as the minister's aid.
She works as the minister's aide.
'aid' usually means help, while 'aide' is the person who gives that help.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Aide' is narrower than 'assistant'. An assistant can work in almost any setting, but an aide usually supports an important person in government, politics, or the military. 'Staffer' is more informal and points to someone on a political or office team, without stressing a close support role. 'Secretary' often focuses on office organization such as schedules, calls, and papers. In military English, 'adjutant' is more formal and names a specific officer position. So a senator may travel with a close aide, an office may hire an assistant, and a colonel may rely on an adjutant for official duties.

aide ↗assistant ↗staffersecretary ↗adjutant

Common collocations

Nouns

  • senior aide
  • presidential aide
  • military aide
  • press aide

Phrases

  • work as an aide
  • serve as an aide

Prepositions

  • aide to

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Aide came into English from French, where it referred to help or a helper. It is related to the verb 'aid', and both go back through French to Latin roots connected with helping and giving support. The modern English noun kept the idea of a person who assists someone else.