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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM benign

be·nign·ly, adverbsu·per·be·nign, adjectiveun·be·nign, adjective

Words nearby benign

Ben Hur, Beni, Benicia, Benidorm, benighted, benign, benignant, benignity, benignly, benign neglect, benign prostatic hyperplasia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

BENIGN VS. MALIGNANT

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.

Quiz yourself on benign vs. malignant!

Should benign or malignant be used in the following sentence?

I can assure you that my intentions are completely _____—I mean no harm.

How to use benign in a sentence

It is possible that life may have gained a foothold, given the evidence that the planet once had a much more benign environment.
The Four Most Promising Worlds for Alien Life in the Solar System|Gareth Dorrian|September 24, 2020|Singularity Hub
My two personal oncology physicians were the ones who advised a conservative strategy of monitoring those nodules in my neck, which could prove to be benign.
My cancer might be back—and I wonder if unnecessary radiation caused it in the first place|jakemeth|September 22, 2020|Fortune
As the election approaches, the building trend of employee activism against employers seems to be taking a benign turn—but don’t imagine that America’s employers and workers are now united in peace and love.
The activist employee hasn’t gone away|Geoffrey Colvin|September 21, 2020|Fortune
These other ingredients, which are combined with the therapeutic one, are often sourced from around the world before landing in your medicine cabinet and are not always benign.
The ‘inactive' ingredients in your pills could harm you|By Yelena Ionova/The Conversation|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science

Sometimes doctors inject patients with benign chemicals that enhance the contrast visible in the image.
Facebook and NYU researchers discover a way to speed up MRI scans|Jeremy Kahn|August 18, 2020|Fortune
I always saw the horrific side of this seemingly benign environment.
Tim Burton Talks ‘Big Eyes,’ His Taste For the Macabre, and the ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel|Marlow Stern|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unstoppable or not, John H has seen little in his 38 years to persuade him progress is benign.
The Golden West Up for Grabs: ‘Painted Horses’ Is the Next Great Western Novel|Wendy Smith|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is not some benign magical sleep as shown on TV, where people wake up a year later and are instantly back to normal.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury|Jean Kim|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Eric lobbies for an industry of benign usefulness, non-partisan in nature, and over which no cloud of serious controversy looms.
Up to a Point: In Defense of Lobbyists|P. J. O’Rourke|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To use a relatively benign example, they are to the Pentagon what Silicon Valley startups were to Eastman Kodak.
Why ISIS Keeps Running Circles Around Us, Just Like Al Qaeda Did Before 9/11|Christopher Dickey|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Benign respdit pater ipse Membertou neophytos se esse, verum imperarem; in mea potestate esse omnia.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Ab eo igitur tpore Patres nostros perhumaniter habuit, atque honorific in omnibus, mensque benign accepit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
He surveyed the crowd in the court-room with calm indifference, and seldom glanced at the gray-bearded, benign-looking judge.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
"No passion, Colombaik," put in the benign Joan, again interrupting the impetuous young man.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
He looked very benign as he quoted these verses in the pulpit on Sunday morning, with a half smile, as of pleased meditation.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete|Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for benign

benign

/ (bɪˈnaɪn) /

adjective

showing kindliness; genial

(of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle

favourable; propitious

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

Derived forms of benign

benignly, adverb

Word Origin for benign

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

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′ ]

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

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.

benign

OTHER WORDS FOR benign

OPPOSITES FOR benign

Origin of benign

OTHER WORDS FROM benign

Words nearby benign

BENIGN VS. MALIGNANT

What’s the difference between benign and malignant?

Quiz yourself on benign vs. malignant!

Words related to benign

How to use benign in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for benign

Derived forms of benign

Word Origin for benign

Scientific definitions for benign

Cultural definitions for benign

notes for benign