beneficial

ben·e·fi·cial

adjective \ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-shəl\

Definition of BENEFICIAL

1

: conferring benefits : conducive to personal or social well-being

2

: receiving or entitling one to receive advantage, use, or benefit <a beneficial legacy>

— ben·e·fi·cial·ly \-ˈfi-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ben·e·fi·cial·ness noun

Examples of BENEFICIAL

1. He hopes the new drug will prove beneficial to many people.
2. Regular exercise has many beneficial health effects.
3. They have a relationship that is beneficial to both of them.
4. Some insects are harmful but others are beneficial.

Origin of BENEFICIAL

Latin beneficium favor, benefit

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to BENEFICIAL

Synonyms

advantageous, benefic, beneficent, benignant, favorable, friendly, good, helpful, kindly, profitable, salutary

Antonyms

bad, disadvantageous, unfavorable, unfriendly, unhelpful, unprofitable

Related Words

gratifying, rewarding, satisfying; auspicious, promising, propitious; advisable, desirable, healthful, healthy, salubrious, salutiferous, wholesome; gainful, lucrative, remunerative; ameliorative, amelioratory, bettering, constructive, supportive

Near Antonyms

damaging, deleterious, harmful, injurious, insalubrious

Rhymes with BENEFICIAL

cicatricial, interstitial, prejudicial, sacrificial, superficial