benefit

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A good or helpful effect that something has; an advantage.

   Regular exercise has many benefits for your health.

2. 2
   verb

   To get a good or helpful effect from something.

   I benefited greatly from the local training program.

3. 3
   verb

   To be good or helpful for someone or something.

   This new contract benefits our firm greatly.

4. 4
   noun

   An event held to raise money for a good cause.

   The band played a benefit for the local hospital.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Benefit comes from Latin benefactum, “a good deed,” formed from bene, “well,” and facere, “to do.” English initially used it in this sense before developing the ordinary modern meaning in the early 16th century.

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.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary