benefit

== English == === Alternative forms === benefite (obsolete) === 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. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbɛn.ɪ.fɪt/ (US) enPR: bĕn'əfĭt, IPA(key): /ˈbɛn.ə.fɪt/ (Indic) IPA(key): /ˈbɛnəfɪʈ/ === Noun === benefit (countable and uncountable, plural benefits) An advantage; help or aid from something. (insurance) A payment made in accordance with an insurance policy or a public assistance scheme. An event, such as a theatrical performance, given to raise funds for some cause. (obsolete) beneficence; liberality Intended audience (as for the benefit of). ==== Synonyms ==== (advantage, help): foredeal, advantage, aid, assistance, boon, help (payment): subsidy ==== Antonyms ==== (antonym(s) of “advantage, help”): harm, disadvantage, encumbrance, hindrance, malefit, nuisance, obstacle, detriment ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== lagniappe === Verb === benefit (third-person singular simple present benefits, present participle benefiting or benefitting, simple past and past participle benefited or benefitted) (transitive) To be or to provide a benefit to. (intransitive) To receive a benefit (from); to be a beneficiary. ==== Usage notes ==== Benefiting and benefited are more common, with benefitting and benefitted being minor variants, more so in North America. ==== Synonyms ==== help, batten, behoove ==== Antonyms ==== malefic detriment ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== == Italian == === Etymology === Unadapted borrowing from English benefit. === Noun === benefit m (invariable) benefit, advantage == Latin == === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈbɛ.nɛ.fɪt] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈbɛː.ne.fit] === Verb === benefit third-person singular present passive indicative of benefaciō