benefit

[ ben-uh-fit ]

noun

1. something that is advantageous or good; an advantage:

   He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.

   Synonyms: profit, gain, boon

2. a payment or gift, as one made to help someone or given by an employer, an insurance company, or a public agency:

   The company offers its employees a pension plan, free health insurance, and other benefits.

3. a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
4. Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.

verb (used with object)

, ben·e·fit·ed or ben·e·fit·ted, ben·e·fit·ing or ben·e·fit·ting.

1. to do good to; be of service to:

   a health program to benefit everyone.

verb (used without object)

, ben·e·fit·ed or ben·e·fit·ted, ben·e·fit·ing or ben·e·fit·ting.

1. to derive benefit or advantage; profit; make improvement:

   He has never benefited from all that experience.

benefit

/ ˈbɛnɪfɪt /

noun

1. something that improves or promotes
2. advantage or sake

   this is for your benefit

3. 1. an allowance paid by the government as for sickness, unemployment, etc, to which a person is entitled under social security or the national insurance scheme
   2. any similar allowance in various other countries
4. sometimes plural a payment or series of payments made by an institution, such as an insurance company or trade union, to a person who is ill, unemployed, etc
5. a theatrical performance, sports event, etc, to raise money for a charity

verb

1. to do or receive good; profit

Other Words From

• ben·e·fit·er ben·e·fit·ter noun
• pre·ben·e·fit verb prebenefited or prebenefitted prebenefiting or prebenefitting
• self-ben·e·fit noun
• self-ben·e·fit·ing self-ben·e·fit·ting adjective
• su·per·ben·e·fit noun
• un·ben·e·fit·ed un·ben·e·fit·ted adjective
• un·ben·e·fit·ing un·ben·e·fit·ting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of benefit¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English noun benefytt, benefett, alteration (with Latinized first syllable) of Middle English b(i)enfet, benefait, from Anglo-French benfet, Middle French bienfait, from Latin benefactum “good deed”; bene- ( def ), fact ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of benefit¹

C14: from Anglo-French benfet , from Latin benefactum , from bene facere to do well

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for someone's benefit, so as to produce a desired effect in another's mind:

   He wasn't really angry; that was just an act for his girlfriend's benefit.

More idioms and phrases containing benefit

see give the benefit .

Example Sentences

Historical policies shaping educational attainment have enduring benefits for later life memory and risk of dementia, according to a study led by a Rutgers Health researcher.

From Science Daily

Ulloa warns that not all patients may respond similarly, and translating the findings from lab studies to clinical settings could lead to varying outcomes, or no benefit at all.

From Science Daily

Ukrainian politicians, from President Zelensky on down, seem keen to give Trump the benefit of the doubt.

From BBC

If you want more control over your investments while reaping the benefits of an index fund, you can try direct indexing.

From Salon

There is a longer-term element, too, with the hope England players will benefit for many years to come.

From BBC

Related Words

• advantage
• aid
• asset
• assistance
• gain
• help
• interest
• perk
• profit
• prosperity
• use
• welfare

When To Use

What are other ways to say benefit?

A benefit is something that is advantageous or good. When should you use benefit instead of advantage or profit? Find out on Thesaurus.com.