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

The benefits would be even larger if we reduced sugar consumption even further.

From Salon

Instead, tariffs could mainly affect "very discount brands that are utilizing or have the benefit of economic coercion," said Daniels.

From Salon

Zeldovich describes but a handful of patients who have benefitted from such treatments thus far.

From Salon

Our experience in Bulgaria of the attempt to disrupt the trade in boats being exported from Turkey highlights the benefits of this approach and also its limitations.

From BBC

Wages are rising at a faster rate, offsetting some of these prices increases, but charities' worries are growing about those on benefits.

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.