beneficiary

American  

[ben-uh-fish-ee-er-ee, -fish-uh-ree] / ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ iˌɛr i, -ˈfɪʃ ə ri /

noun

plural

beneficiaries

1. a person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages.

2. a person designated as the recipient of funds or other property under a will, trust, insurance policy, etc.

3. Ecclesiastical. the holder of a benefice.

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beneficiary British  

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃərɪ /

noun

1. a person who gains or benefits in some way from something

2. law a person entitled to receive funds or other property under a trust, will, or insurance policy

3. the holder of an ecclesiastical or other benefice

4. a person who receives government assistance

   social security beneficiary

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adjective

1. of or relating to a benefice or the holder of a benefice

beneficiary Cultural  

1. The recipient of funds, property, or other benefits from an insurance policy, will, trust, or other settlement.

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Other Word Forms

• prebeneficiary noun

Etymology

Origin of beneficiary

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin beneficiārius, from benefici(um) benefice + -ārius -ary

Explanation

A beneficiary is simply the recipient of money or other benefits. So when your big sister finally moves away to college and you get to move into her bigger bedroom? You become a lucky beneficiary. In other words — if you benefit from something, you are a beneficiary. This word pops up most commonly when people are creating their wills and trusts — you have to choose beneficiaries as the people who will get what you have when you die. But it isn't always so morbid. You can be the beneficiary of someone's kindness, the beneficiary of a good education, or even the beneficiary of your own hard work.

Example Sentences

Advanced Micro Devices is seen as a larger beneficiary of AI CPU demand, with Morgan Stanley maintaining an Equal-Weight rating on Intel.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Growth stocks now are the default beneficiary of greater stability and flat to lower energy costs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

“This is not political. ... We care about the beneficiary and the benefit, full stop. That is who we are protecting.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Backers point out though, that, two years on from rejoining the flagship EU research programme, the UK has emerged as a leading beneficiary.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Straight out, he confirmed that he was the beneficiary of just such a fund, and embarked on a great run of concession Now, was that wrong?

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• heir
• recipient