benefit
something that is advantageous or good; an advantage: He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.
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.
a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.
to do good to; be of service to: a health program to benefit everyone.
to derive benefit or advantage; profit; make improvement: He has never benefited from all that experience.
Idioms about benefit
for someone's benefit, so as to produce a desired effect in another's mind: He wasn't really angry; that was just an act for his girlfriend's benefit.
Origin of benefit
1Other words for benefit
Other words from benefit
- ben·e·fit·er, ben·e·fit·ter, noun
- pre·ben·e·fit, verb, pre·ben·e·fit·ed or pre·ben·e·fit·ted, pre·ben·e·fit·ing or pre·ben·e·fit·ting.
- self-ben·e·fit, noun
- self-ben·e·fit·ing, self-ben·e·fit·ting, adjective
- su·per·ben·e·fit, noun
- un·ben·e·fit·ed, un·ben·e·fit·ted, adjective
- un·ben·e·fit·ing, un·ben·e·fit·ting, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for benefit
/ (ˈbɛnɪfɪt) /
something that improves or promotes
advantage or sake: this is for your benefit
British
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
any similar allowance in various other countries
(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
a theatrical performance, sports event, etc, to raise money for a charity
to do or receive good; profit
Origin of benefit
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with benefit
see give the benefit.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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