benefit
Americannoun
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benefits
plural
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something that is advantageous or good; an advantage.
He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.
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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.
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a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
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Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
idioms
noun
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something that improves or promotes
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advantage or sake
this is for your benefit
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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
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any similar allowance in various other countries
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(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
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a theatrical performance, sports event, etc, to raise money for a charity
verb
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
Derived Forms
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benefiternoun
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benefitternoun
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self-benefitnoun
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superbenefitnoun
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prebenefitverb
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self-benefitingadjective
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self-benefittingadjective
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unbenefitedadjective
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unbenefitingadjective
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unbenefittedadjective
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unbenefittingadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing benefit
Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal
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Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 11-20
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"The Perils of Indifference," Vocabulary from the speech
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The company’s benefit ratio, which measures the proportion of premium revenue paid out to cover medical costs, was 93.7%, compared with analyst views for 94.2%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Read more: Who will benefit more from AI agents when it comes to spending – companies or you?
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
However, identifying which patients stand to benefit from statins remains a significant challenge.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026
For CVS, a looming flash point involves its pharmacy benefit manager, Caremark.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Duane was offended that his friends wouldn’t give him the benefit of the doubt.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
The Bank of Thailand said the economy continued to benefit from the global technology and artificial-intelligence boom, although overall growth remained below potential and the benefits were concentrated in certain sectors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Labour ministers have been keen to talk up the potential economic benefits of the agreement, which could be announced at a summit later this month.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
When Canva announced it was laying off 22% of its staff on Tuesday, the severance package included unusual benefits for former employees.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
Longer and larger studies are needed to determine whether the findings translate into lasting health benefits or changes in cardiovascular disease risk.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 6, 2026
His relationship with Hugo has not improved, but Helmuth knows having Hugo's last name, Hübener, will have its benefits.
From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Banks catering to the rich have benefited from the fortunes being minted by the country’s artificial-intelligence buildout.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Barrera benefited from more than $9 million in independent campaign spending in support of his election by the California Teachers Assn., or CTA, which he said was instrumental in helping him get his message out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
The only other industries to show a notable increase were manufacturing and construction, both of which have benefited from a massive boom in artificial intelligence.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026
The UK royal family benefited from the trade but Charles is politically neutral and is not expected to offer an apology.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
Tijuana’s greatest tourist attraction was its racetrack, which benefited from the hard times afflicting the racing industry in the United States.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Its versatility could also allow it to be incorporated into several types of dental products, potentially benefiting patients of different ages with enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, or other problems involving exposed dentin.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
There wasn’t an obvious catalyst driving shares higher, but they were probably just benefiting from a broader market rebound.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
Samsung and SK Hynix last week reported record earnings for consecutive quarters, benefiting from tight supply and robust demand for memory chips and other hardware used in AI computing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
Verstappen benefiting from the internal battle to take his third win in four races.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
So have the early researchers, like Dr. Strayer, who were often sailing against headwinds generated by the corporations and profiteers benefiting from connected drivers.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Both producers posted a sharp increase in third-quarter earnings as their oil refining units benefitted from a spike in fuel prices related to war-related disruptions in Middle East and Russian exports.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
In speeches at the event Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s governor, and Corey O’Connor, Pittsburgh’s mayor, both spoke of the ways developments from CMU have historically benefitted the city and state.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026
Bitcoin has, along with gold and silver, also benefitted from the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
She noted that Europe had long benefitted from "three pillars" -- a rules-based global order underpinned by US security guarantees, cheap energy and expanding global trade.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
The argument went that we benefitted from compulsory education, as it provides a livelihood for formerly enslaved, who couldn’t find gainful employment after the war.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Oil-services company Halliburton reported quarterly earnings and revenue growth, benefitting from elevated oil prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Rebecca Wettemann, CEO of technology-research firm Valoir, said Nvidia was likely benefitting from a general market rebound on Wednesday as investors responded to momentum in oil prices and a pullback in Treasury yields.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
Appears to be benefitting from a run of games with the same back four.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Chacin said the expanded police presence could help stem violence, but that tackling organized crime required, above all, following the money -- investigating how the proceeds are laundered and who is benefitting most.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Authors don't have to accept that, but a growing number of them are choosing to adapt to it and are benefitting.
From Interviews (1998-2001) by Marie Lebert
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