benefit

[ben-uh-fit]

noun

1. something that is advantageous or good; an advantage.

   He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.

   Synonyms: profit, gain, boon

2. 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.

3. a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.

4. Archaic.,  an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.

verb (used with object)

benefited, benefitted, benefiting, benefitting. 

1. to do good to; be of service to.

   a health program to benefit everyone.

verb (used without object)

benefited, benefitted, benefiting, benefitting. 

1. to derive benefit or advantage; profit; make improvement.

   He has never benefited from all that experience.

benefit

/ ˈbɛnɪfɪt /

noun

1. something that improves or promotes

2. advantage or sake

   this is for your benefit

3. 1. 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

   2. any similar allowance in various other countries

4. (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

5. a theatrical performance, sports event, etc, to raise money for a charity

verb

1. to do or receive good; profit

Other Word Forms

• benefiter noun
• benefitter noun
• prebenefit verb
• self-benefit noun
• self-benefiting adjective
• self-benefitting adjective
• superbenefit noun
• unbenefited adjective
• unbenefitted adjective
• unbenefiting adjective
• unbenefitting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of benefit¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of benefit¹

C14: from Anglo-French benfet , from Latin benefactum , from bene facere to do well

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for someone's benefit, so as to produce a desired effect in another's mind.

   He wasn't really angry; that was just an act for his girlfriend's benefit.

see give the benefit.

Example Sentences

"It's such a shame that there are swathes of our country that don't benefit from that," she said.

Read more on BBC

"We've known about magnesium and its benefits for years and now, finally, it's mainstream."

Read more on BBC

The touted benefits—like improved scratch and stain resistance—mean little since stainless steel is already durable, but titanium can offer slight nonstick advantages when it is textured and used with a little oil.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Congress should also guarantee island residents equal access to federal benefits—Supplemental Security Income, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid and Medicare.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The President is right that the benefits of his and Mr. Netanyahu’s victory in Iran have rippled through the region.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advance 
• aid 
• assist 
• contribute to www.thesaurus.com
• enhance 
• favor 
• further 
• help 
• improve 
• pay 
• pay off 
• promote 
• serve 

When To Use

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.