beneficent

[ buh-nef-uh-suhnt ]

adjective

1. doing good or causing good to be done; conferring benefits; kindly in action or purpose.

beneficent

/ bɪˈnɛfɪsənt /

adjective

1. charitable; generous

Derived Forms

• beˈneficently, adverb

Other Words From

• be·nefi·cent·ly adverb
• nonbe·nefi·cent adjective
• nonbe·nefi·cent·ly adverb
• unbe·nefi·cent adjective
• unbe·nefi·cent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficent¹

First recorded in 1610–20; benefic(ence) + -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficent¹

C17: from Latin beneficent- , from beneficus ; see benefice

Example Sentences

Virgil’s journey toward a beneficent existence starts with a family member’s funeral, continues through another relative’s hospice stay and then achieves fulfillment with our hero’s compassion-driven decision to look after the dead.

From New York Times

She brought to the ghostly role her own expansive sense of history — once again revealing eternity through her beneficent, dazzling, invincible artistry.

From Los Angeles Times

“Not that they were perfect by any means, but they were infinitely more successful and beneficent colonizers than other European countries.”

From New York Times

Speaking to the Australian Newspaper about the upcoming vote, Mr Howard described colonisation as "inevitable" and praised the British as "infinitely more successful and beneficent colonisers" than their European counterparts.

From BBC

On the one hand, there's the beneficent notion of bestowing the priceless "gift of life," the tender slogan of donor advocates imploring, "Don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here."

From Salon