benefit

American  

[ben-uh-fit] / ˈbɛn ə fɪt /

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.

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verb (used with object)

benefited, benefitted, benefiting, benefitting

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

   a health program to benefit everyone.

verb (used without object)

benefited, benefitted, benefiting, benefitting

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

   He has never benefited from all that experience.

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.

benefit British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to do or receive good; profit

benefit More Idioms  

1. see give the benefit.

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Usage

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. 

Other Word Forms

• benefiter noun
• benefitter noun
• prebenefit verb
• self-benefit noun
• self-benefiting adjective
• self-benefitting adjective
• superbenefit noun
• unbenefited adjective
• unbenefiting adjective
• unbenefitted adjective
• unbenefitting adjective

Etymology

Origin of benefit

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. )

Example Sentences

"The risks now seem to outweigh any benefits," it concluded.

From BBC

Although there are wildlife laws in place, Silva reckons the fines to punish the crime do not outweigh the financial benefits of catching and selling songbirds.

From BBC

Between 35% and 37% of his sales go to cover employee expenses between kitchen, manager and server wages, along with benefits and workers’ compensation.

From The Wall Street Journal

You don’t need a binder or a full-blown quarterly system to reap the benefits.

From Salon

Any economic benefit from stealing our neighbor’s name didn’t last long.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advance
• aid
• assist
• contribute to
• enhance
• favor
• further
• help
• improve
• pay
• pay off
• promote
• serve