noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of benefactor
1425–75; late Middle English benefactour < Late Latin; see bene-, factor
Explanation
Every school, museum, and struggling artist is in search for a generous benefactor, or someone to provide the financial means to keep everything running smoothly. The Latin roots of benefactor are bene, which means "well," and facere, which means "to do" — literally, "to do well." A benefactor does well by supporting (usually financially) a person or a good cause. In the old days, a struggling artist or actor might have been supported by a wealthy benefactor. Now, many struggling artists and actors have to rely on waiting tables and other odd jobs instead.
Vocabulary lists containing benefactor
Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal
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Giving Words
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Make Do: Fac
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the end of “We”, D-503 attends the annual re-election of the OneState’s Benefactor.
From Economist • May 31, 2018
Both tweets also mentioned Cuban's "Apprentice"-like TV show, "The Benefactor," which was quickly canceled in 2004.
From Washington Post • Sep. 24, 2016
This was the Generalissimo, the Benefactor of the Nation, the Father of the New Nation, the Restorer of Financial Independence.
From The New Yorker • Mar. 9, 2015
And Cuban briefly had his own reality show, called The Benefactor, in which 16 aspiring entrepreneurs competed for a $1 million prize from the Dallas owner.
From Time • Jun. 17, 2011
“I’m sure it would mean a great deal to our Benefactor to hear that you have his pleasure in mind.”
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
