benefit
Americannoun
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something that is advantageous or good; an advantage.
He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.
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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.
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a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
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Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
idioms
noun
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something that improves or promotes
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advantage or sake
this is for your benefit
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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
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any similar allowance in various other countries
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(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
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a theatrical performance, sports event, etc, to raise money for a charity
verb
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Stanley came to appreciate the social and the spiritual benefits Islam provided the Ottomans," Gilham said.
From BBC
Lokesh argues that the jobs and economic benefits would more than compensate for the giveaway cost of land.
From Barron's
Mason says she has a "particularly hairy part" of her wrist where she applies her testosterone gel on a daily basis, but that the benefits she gets from the hormone are worth it.
From BBC
These teams are actively forming partnerships and working to translate scientific discoveries into policies that benefit broad populations rather than select groups.
From Science Daily
Previous studies have shown that savoring benefits individuals.
From Science Daily
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.
