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

"You can't argue with a primrose, they're absolutely glorious... red campions will flower all year round, and they are just so beneficial to all sorts of insects and wildlife," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Proponents of raw dairy have long insisted that it prevents allergies and promotes beneficial bacteria, claims that are not supported by research.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

“Live sports and broadcast television have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship,” the FCC said in a recent request for public comment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"Vigorous activity may not be safe for everyone, especially older adults or people with certain medical conditions. For them, any increase in movement is still beneficial, and activity should be tailored to the individual."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

Or can we use a nonspecific fungicide without also killing the fungi that inhabit the roots of many trees in a beneficial association that aids the tree in extracting nutrients from the soil?

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

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