benefit

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) An advantage; help or aid from something.
2. (countable, uncountable) A payment made in accordance with an insurance policy or a public assistance scheme.
3. (countable, uncountable) An event, such as a theatrical performance, given to raise funds for some cause.
4. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) beneficence; liberality
5. (countable, uncountable) Intended audience (as for the benefit of).

Verb

1. (transitive) To be or to provide a benefit to.
2. (intransitive) To receive a benefit (from); to be a beneficiary.

Synonyms

profit

advantage

gain

good

👍

use

interest

usefulness

avail

utility

help

aid

favour

allowance

welfare

favor

boon

value

assist

asset

support

service

blessing

kindness

advantageous

convenience

serve

effect

advance

sake

🍶

well-being

win

merit

virtue

more

perquisite

vantage

subsidy

attend to

account

remuneration

relief

result

accommodate

goodness

recompense

be useful

payment

💸

benefaction

mutual aid

pension

Translations

avantage

Vorteil

bénéfice

Nutzen

beneficio

voordeel

beneficio

profit

vantaggio

ventaja

benefício

intérêt

provecho

Gewinn

lucro

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbɛn.ɪ.fɪt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: benefytt

Cognate with Latin: bene-

Cognate with Latin: benefactum

In summary

From Late Middle English benefytt, benefett, alteration (due to Latin bene-) of benfet, bienfet, bienfait (“good or noble deed”), from Anglo-Norman benfet (“well-done”), Middle French bienfait, from Old French bienfet, bienfait (“foredeal, favour”), from past participle of bienfaire (“to do good, do well”), from bien (“well”) + faire (“to do”), modelled after Latin benefactum (“good deed”). More at benefactor.