benefit
/ˈbɛn.ɪˌfɪt/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.82 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A payment made in accordance with an insurance policy or a public assistance scheme.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "She can't read, so the voice recording was made for her benefit."
- "Exposure to cutting-edge technologies is one of the benefits of the job."
- "When this conversation was repeated in detail within the hearing of the young woman in question, and undoubtedly for his benefit, Mr. Trevor threw shame to the winds and scandalized the Misses Brewster then and there by proclaiming his father to have been a country storekeeper."
- "For the trip over the grass-covered sleepers and between the cow-parsley and briars, an open wagon was added to the usual combination of locomotive and coach, for the benefit of those who wanted to take photographs."
- "Gore Vidal […] will be sharing his wit and wisdom at the Arlington Street Church on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:00. The appearance is a benefit for the Boston/Boise Committee and the tickets are priced at $5."
- "The Birds, that liue i'th field / On the vvilde Benefit of nature, liue / Happier then vve; for they may chooſe their Mates, / And carroll their ſvveet pleaſures to the Spring: […]"
Etymology
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *dʰeh₁-, benefytt, benfet, bienfait, bienfet
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbɛn.ɪˌfɪt/
- British English: /ˈbɛn.ɪ.fɪt/
Usage
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
benefit cliff
co-benefit
benefit association
benefit club
benefit corporation
benefit-cost analysis
benefit-cost ratio
benefit dollar