benefit

[ ben-uh-fit ]
/ ˈbɛn ə fɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR benefit ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object), ben·e·fit·ed or ben·e·fit·ted, ben·e·fit·ing or ben·e·fit·ting.

to do good to; be of service to: a health program to benefit everyone.

verb (used without object), ben·e·fit·ed or ben·e·fit·ted, ben·e·fit·ing or ben·e·fit·ting.

to derive benefit or advantage; profit; make improvement: He has never benefited from all that experience.

Idioms for 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

1350–1400; late Middle English benefytt, benefett (noun), alteration (with Latinized first syllable) of Middle English b(i)enfet, benefait < Anglo-French benfet, Middle French bienfait < Latin benefactum good deed; see bene-, fact

synonym study for benefit

1. See advantage.

OTHER WORDS FROM benefit

Words nearby benefit

beneficence, beneficent, beneficial, beneficiary, beneficiate, benefit, benefit in kind, benefit of clergy, benefit of the doubt, benefit society, benelux

Words related to benefits

prosperity, use, help, profit, assistance, perk, gain, interest, welfare, aid, asset, advance, pay, assist, serve, favor, further, promote, improve, account

Example sentences from the Web for benefits

British Dictionary definitions for benefits

benefit
/ (ˈbɛnɪfɪt) /

noun

something that improves or promotes
advantage or sake this is for your benefit
British
  1. 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
  2. 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

verb -fits, -fiting or -fited or esp US -fits, -fitting or -fitted

to do or receive good; profit

Word Origin for benefit

C14: from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin benefactum, from bene facere to do well

Idioms and Phrases with benefits

benefit

see give the benefit.