beneficial

American  

[ben-uh-fish-uhl] / ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ əl /

adjective

1. conferring benefit; advantageous; helpful.

   the beneficial effect of sunshine.

   Synonyms:

   profitable, favorable, useful, serviceable, wholesome, salutary

   Antonyms:

   harmful

2. Law.

   1. helpful in the meeting of needs.

      a beneficial association.

   2. involving the personal enjoyment of proceeds.

      a beneficial owner.

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beneficial British  

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl /

adjective

1. (sometimes foll by to) causing a good result; advantageous

2. law entitling a person to receive the profits or proceeds of property

   a beneficial interest in land

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Other Word Forms

• beneficially adverb
• beneficialness noun
• nonbeneficial adjective
• nonbeneficially adverb
• nonbeneficialness noun
• quasi-beneficial adjective
• quasi-beneficially adverb
• unbeneficial adjective
• unbeneficially adverb
• unbeneficialness noun

Etymology

Origin of beneficial

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin beneficiālis, equivalent to Latin benefici(um) “kindness” ( benefice ( def. ) ) + -ālis -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Enabling children to remain with peers and avoid unnecessary transitions could be beneficial," he says.

From BBC

“The current situation is not conducive to delivering ‘fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial’ trans-Atlantic trade and investment, as agreed to by both sides,” it added.

From Barron's

Morag says she personally finds it beneficial to be in nature.

From BBC

Indonesia's coordinating minister for economic affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the finalised deal is beneficial to both sides and will attract greater investment in Indonesia.

From BBC

"The more we can understand about cancer in any species has got to be beneficial for everybody."

From BBC

Related Words

• benign
• constructive
• favorable
• good
• helpful
• profitable
• useful
• valuable