beneficial

American  

[ben-uh-fish-uhl] / ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ əl /

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.

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beneficial British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of beneficial

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

Example Sentences

He believes the opportunity for students to mix and match V-levels and A-levels will be beneficial, giving "more of a hybrid mix that we can offer, that will really help them succeed in the future".

From BBC

Some opera singers hoped that the actor’s jibes might actually prove beneficial for the form in a roundabout way.

From The Wall Street Journal

"This opens the possibility of designing new therapeutics that retain beneficial biological activity while reducing hallucinogenic responses, potentially enabling safer and more practical treatment strategies."

From Science Daily

Alex says joining a support group was very beneficial to understanding the condition, and he credits the support of his wife and two daughters for where he is today.

From BBC

For patients whose bodies struggle to eliminate ammonia, lowering protein intake could potentially be beneficial.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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