benefit

American  

[ben-uh-fit] / ˈbɛn ə fɪt /

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.

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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.

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.

benefit British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to do or receive good; profit

benefit More Idioms  

1. see give the benefit.

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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”; see bene- ( def. ), fact ( def. )

Explanation

A benefit is something that helps you, whether in the form of health insurance provided by an employer, welfare given by the government to those in need, or the benefit of the doubt extended to you by a friend. The Latin bene- "good" is at the heart of the word benefit, which derives from the Latin benefactum "good deed." When attendance at a party or an event raises money for a charity, the event is referred to as a benefit in that charity's honor.

Example Sentences

And yet a systematic review showed there was almost no evidence that they benefit salmon and trout populations.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

Still, buyers were likely to view reliance on the region as risky, a shift that could benefit U.S. producers as they diversify supply sources, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

I want to determine what to withdraw from which accounts to minimize taxation, while perhaps converting some of the traditional IRA to Roth for future benefit, though that would increase taxable income.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

The coroner said she would decide at a later date on whether the inquest needs to be moved from Sheffield and, also, whether the jury would benefit from a visit to the arena.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Arranging for his remaining debts to be paid, he left “the use, profit and benefit of my whole Estate... for the term of her natural life” to Martha.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• advance
• aid
• assist
• contribute to
• enhance
• favor
• further
• help
• improve
• pay
• pay off
• promote
• serve