# helpless vs helplessly

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### helpless
*adjective · IPA /ˈhɛlplɪs/ · frequency rank #11,391*
Unable to defend oneself.

### helplessly
*adverb · IPA /ˈhɛlpləsli/ · frequency rank #37,024*
Without protection or assistance.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/helpless-vs-helplessly