benefit

Pluralbenefits

Formsbenefits, benefiting, benefited

1. 1
   advantagenouncountable or uncountable

   Help, or something good that you get from a thing or action.

   Like sunlight for a plant: something that helps it grow.

   Drinking water during the day brings real benefit to your body.

   He saw little benefit in staying angry, so he let it go.

   UsageSay the benefits of something, or that something is of benefit to you.

   Similaradvantage, value, use, gain

   Oppositedisadvantage, drawback, harm, detriment

2. 2
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To help someone or something, or to get something good from it.

   Fresh air and exercise benefit your whole body.

   The new playground will benefit all the children in the neighborhood.

   UsageSomething benefits you, and you benefit from it.

   Similarhelp

3. 3
   insurance paymentnouncountable or uncountable

   Money paid to someone under an insurance policy or through a government support program.

   She gets a monthly benefit from the government because she cannot work.

   His family received the insurance benefit after the accident.

   UsageOften benefits, as in unemployment benefits from the government.

   Similarpayment, allowance

   Note
4. 4
   job extranouncountable

   Something extra that a job gives you besides your pay, like health insurance or paid vacation.

   The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are very good.

   Her favorite benefit at work is four weeks of paid vacation.

   UsageA job comes with benefits, like health insurance.

   Similarperk

   Note
5. 5
   meant fornounusually singular

   Used in for the benefit of or for someone's benefit to say who words or actions are really meant for.

   The teacher spoke slowly, for the benefit of the students who were still learning English.

   He laughed loudly at the joke, mostly for the boss's benefit.

   UsageIt can mean an act is just a show: he laughed for the boss's benefit.

   Note
6. 6
   charity eventnouncountable

   A show or other event held to raise money for a good cause.

   The school is holding a benefit on Saturday to buy new library books.

   Local bands played at a benefit for families who lost their homes in the fire.

   UsageSay a benefit for a cause, or a benefit concert.

   Similarfundraiser

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