benign
Americanadjective
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Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting.
a benign brain tumor.
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having no harmful influence or effect.
ecologically benign and sustainable building materials.
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having a kindly disposition; gracious.
a benign king.
- Synonyms:
- compassionate, gentle, humane, tender, benevolent, benignant, kindly, good
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showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness.
a benign smile.
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a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.
- Antonyms:
- sinister
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(of weather) pleasant or beneficial; salubrious; healthful.
adjective
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showing kindliness; genial
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(of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
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favourable; propitious
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pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant
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Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant.
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Compare malignant
Usage
What’s the difference between benign and malignant? In a medical context, the word benign is used to describe masses or tumors that are not cancerous—those that do not spread disease to other parts of the body. The word malignant is the opposite—it’s used to describe harmful masses or tumors that are cancerous and that grow and spread disease. Both words are sometimes also used in general ways. Benign can mean kind, favorable, or gracious, while malignant can mean harmful or intended or intending to cause harm. The best clue to help remember their meanings is the prefix mal-, which means “bad” and shows up in a lot of other negative words, such as malfunction, malpractice, malicious, and maleficent. Here’s an example of benign and malignant used correctly in the same sentence. Example: She was afraid the lump was a malignant tumor, but it turned out to be a benign cyst—totally harmless. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between benign and malignant.
Discover More
The term benign is used when describing tumors or growths that do not threaten the health of an individual.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of benign
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
Explanation
Someone or something that is benign is gentle, kind, mild, or unharmful: a benign soul wouldn't hurt a fly. Benign describes a range of qualities, all of them positive. When talking about a person, it means "gentle." In reference to weather or climate, it means "mild." In some other contexts, it simply means "not harmful" — you might speak of "a benign tumor" or "an environmentally benign chemical." The word comes from a Latin root benignus meaning "well born," but the implied meaning is "kind" or "pleasant" — it's hard to get mad at someone who has a benign disposition.
Vocabulary lists containing benign
The Giver
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal
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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.
At the moment, the Dallas Fed’s Trimmed Mean PCE Deflator External link measure suggests more benign inflation trends.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
The higher dosage of misoprostol required when it’s used alone can also lead to a greater incidence of benign but uncomfortable side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
From Slate • May 18, 2026
The later starters in round two, including McNealy and Rory McIlroy, were also able to take advantage of slightly more benign conditions in the late evening sun.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
“But the probability around that has declined, and some of the other scenarios are less benign than that and certainly could feature higher, more persistent inflation,” which could require rate hikes, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
Milo responded to his request with a benign smile.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
