beneficial

[ben-uh-fish-uhl]

adjective

1. conferring benefit; advantageous; helpful.

   the beneficial effect of sunshine.

   Synonyms: profitable, favorable, useful, serviceable, wholesome, salutary
   Antonyms: harmful

2. Law.

   1. helpful in the meeting of needs.

      a beneficial association.

   2. involving the personal enjoyment of proceeds.

      a beneficial owner.

beneficial

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl /

adjective

1. (sometimes foll by to) causing a good result; advantageous

2. law entitling a person to receive the profits or proceeds of property

   a beneficial interest in land

Other Word Forms

• beneficially adverb
• beneficialness noun
• nonbeneficial adjective
• nonbeneficially adverb
• nonbeneficialness noun
• quasi-beneficial adjective
• quasi-beneficially adverb
• unbeneficial adjective
• unbeneficially adverb
• unbeneficialness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficial¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin beneficiālis, equivalent to Latin benefici(um) “kindness” ( benefice ( def. ) ) + -ālis -al ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficial¹

C15: from Late Latin beneficiālis , from Latin beneficium kindness

Example Sentences

“I’ve also genuinely found it beneficial for my social anxiety to have to ask if they have matchbooks. Especially if they say no,” she says.

Read more on Salon

The Chinese Embassy in the UK has previously said the new complex would enhance "mutually beneficial cooperation" between China and Britain, with officials arguing objections to the site are unjustified.

Read more on BBC

"Increasing body temperature causes an increase in blood flow, and just the force of blood moving across your vessels is beneficial for your vascular health."

Read more on Science Daily

It’s likely that Thursday’s storm will be more beneficial than hazardous, helping to further put a damper on the autumn fire season.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, Cullinane says the new base is beneficial for the London-listed travel company despite its costs over the next couple of years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• benign 
• constructive 
• favorable 
• good 
• helpful 
• profitable 
• useful 
• valuable