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

Those findings echo research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute and J.P.

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

She said monitoring their use of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, which are used for food stamps or unemployment, could be a way to assign a rating.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Benefit: Quality VPN services typically require a subscription fee, ranging from $3 to $15 per month or more depending on the provider and plan length.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Players are not meeting the costs directly, but the campaign is funded through the Women's Tennis Benefit Association - a subsidiary of the WTA - and money available to ATP Board player representatives.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

“I was thinking maybe I could help out with the Children’s Benefit from home,” she say.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Related Words

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