benefit
pronunciation
How to pronounce benefit in British English:
UK [ˈbenɪfɪt]
How to pronounce benefit in American English:
US [ˈbenɪfɪt]
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- Noun:
- financial assistance in time of need
- something that aids or promotes well-being
- a performance to raise money for a charitable cause
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- Verb:
- derive a benefit from
- be beneficial for
Word Origin
- benefit
- benefit: [14] The element bene- occurs in a wide variety of English words. It comes from Latin bene ‘well’, a close relative of Latin bonus ‘good’. Amongst its combinations are benediction [15], literally ‘saying well’, hence ‘blessing’, benefaction ‘doing well’ [17], and benevolent ‘wishing well’ [15]. Benefit is related to benefaction, since it too comes ultimately from Latin bene facere, but it took a more indirect route to English, from Latin benefactum ‘good deed’ via Old French bienfait and Anglo- Norman benfet.
- benefit (n.)
- late 14c., "good or noble deed," also "advantage, profit," from Anglo-French benfet "well-done," from Latin benefactum "good deed," from bene facere (see benefactor). Meaning "performance or entertainment to raise money for some charitable cause" is from 1680s.
- benefit (v.)
- late 15c., from benefit (n.). Related: Benefited; benefiting.
Example
- 1. Arab agriculture would benefit from taking his lessons .
- 2. Herbal medicines may also benefit .
- 3. Some savers might indeed benefit .
- 4. Who will it benefit most ?
- 5. Deutsche acknowledged the benefit of central bank stimulus measures .