First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1benefit
noun ben·e·fit \ˈbe-nə-ˌfit\
: a good or helpful result or effect
: money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc.
: something extra (such as vacation time or health insurance) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay
Full Definition of BENEFIT
1
archaic : an act of kindness : benefaction
3
a : financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment b : a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy c : a service (as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary
4
: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause
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Origin of BENEFIT
Middle English, from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin bene factum, from neuter of bene factus, past participle of bene facere
Related to BENEFIT
- Antonyms
- disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus
Other Business Terms
Rhymes with BENEFIT
2benefit
verb
: to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)
: to be helped
benefit·ed \-ˌfi-təd\ also benefit·tedbenefit·ing also benefit·ting
Full Definition of BENEFIT
transitive verb
: to be useful or profitable to
intransitive verb
: to receive benefit <has benefited from his experience>
— ben·e·fit·er \-ˌfi-tər\ noun
See benefit defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BENEFIT
15th century
BENEFITS Defined for Kids
1benefit
noun ben·e·fit \ˈbe-nə-ˌfit\
Definition of BENEFIT for Kids
1
: a good or helpful result or effect <the benefits of fresh air>
2
: useful assistance : help <… he is an orphan whom I raised myself without benefit of governess … — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth>
3
: money paid in time of death, sickness, or unemployment or in old age (as by an insurance company)
2benefit
verb
ben·e·fit·edben·e·fit·ing
Definition of BENEFIT for Kids
1
: to be useful or profitable to <The changes will benefit everyone.>
2
: to be helped <He'll benefit from new experiences.>
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