benign

[ bih-nahyn ]

adjective

1. Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting:

   a benign brain tumor.

2. having no harmful influence or effect:

   ecologically benign and sustainable building materials.

3. having a kindly disposition; gracious:

   a benign king.

   Synonyms: compassionate, gentle, humane, tender, benevolent, benignant, kindly, good

4. showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness:

   a benign smile.

5. favorable; propitious:

   a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.

   Antonyms: sinister

6. (of weather) pleasant or beneficial; salubrious; healthful.

benign

/ bɪˈnaɪn /

adjective

1. showing kindliness; genial
2. (of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
3. favourable; propitious
4. pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant

benign

/ bĭ-nīn′ /

1. Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant.
2. Compare malignant

benign

1. A descriptive term for conditions that present no danger to life or well-being. Benign is the opposite of malignant .

Notes

The term benign is used when describing tumors or growths that do not threaten the health of an individual.

Derived Forms

• beˈnignly, adverb

Other Words From

• be·nign·ly adverb
• su·per·be·nign adjective
• un·be·nign adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of benign¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English benigne, from Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine), from Latin benignus “kind, generous,” equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus “good” ( bene- ) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere “to beget” ( genitor, genus ), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; malign

Word History and Origins

Origin of benign¹

C14: from Old French benigne , from Latin benignus , from bene well + gignere to produce

Example Sentences

"But it turned out I had a benign brain tumour called a colloid cyst, which is very rare - three in a million."

From BBC

Among the findings, the study showed that overall, 97% of the evaluated lesions were later determined by biopsy to be benign.

From Science Daily

The TV presenter posted a video on Instagram to say she had been diagnosed with a rare type of benign tumour called a colloid cyst.

From BBC

Even a seemingly benign downgrade — from “honorable” to “general discharge under honorable conditions” — makes a difference.

From Los Angeles Times

By bonding, the medicine transforms the reactive metals into benign molecules that have little interest in interacting with different compounds in the body.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• benevolent
• favorable
• friendly
• gentle
• mild

Benign Vs. Malignant

What’s the difference between benign and malignant?

In a medical context, the word benign is used to describe masses or tumors that are not cancerous—those that do not spread disease to other parts of the body. The word malignant is the opposite—it’s used to describe harmful masses or tumors that are cancerous and that grow and spread disease.

Both words are sometimes also used in general ways. Benign can mean kind, favorable, or gracious, while malignant can mean harmful or intended or intending to cause harm.

The best clue to help remember their meanings is the prefix mal-, which means “bad” and shows up in a lot of other negative words, such as malfunction, malpractice, malicious, and maleficent.

Here’s an example of benign and malignant used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: She was afraid the lump was a malignant tumor, but it turned out to be a benign cyst—totally harmless.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between benign and malignant.

Quiz yourself on benign vs. malignant!

Should benign or malignant be used in the following sentence?

I can assure you that my intentions are completely _____—I mean no harm.