benign

[ bih-nahyn ]
See synonyms for: benignbenignly on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting: a benign brain tumor.

  2. having no harmful influence or effect: ecologically benign and sustainable building materials.

  1. having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king.

  2. showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benign smile.

  3. favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.

  4. (of weather) pleasant or beneficial; salubrious; healthful.

Origin of benign

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English benigne, from Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine), from Latin benignus “kind, generous,” equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus “good” (see bene-) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere “to beget” (see genitor, genus), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; cf. malign

Other words for benign

Opposites for benign

Other words from benign

  • be·nign·ly, adverb
  • su·per·be·nign, adjective
  • un·be·nign, adjective

Words Nearby benign

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use benign in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for benign

benign

/ (bɪˈnaɪn) /


adjective
  1. showing kindliness; genial

  2. (of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle

  1. favourable; propitious

  2. pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant

Origin of benign

1
C14: from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, from bene well + gignere to produce

Derived forms of benign

  • benignly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for benign

benign

[ bĭ-nīn ]


  1. Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant. Compare malignant.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for benign

benign

[ (bi-neyen) ]


A descriptive term for conditions that present no danger to life or well-being. Benign is the opposite of malignant.

Notes for benign

The term benign is used when describing tumors or growths that do not threaten the health of an individual.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.