benefit

¹ben·e·fit

noun \ˈbe-nə-ˌfit\

Definition of BENEFIT

1

archaic : an act of kindness : benefaction

2

a : something that promotes well-being : advantage b : useful aid : help

3

a : financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment b : a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy c : a service (as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary

4

: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause

Examples of BENEFIT

1. the benefits of fresh air and sunshine
2. A benefit of museum membership is that purchases are discounted.
3. There are many financial benefits to owning your own home.
4. She is just now starting to reap the benefits of all her hard work.
5. The benefits of taking the drug outweigh its risks.
6. I see no benefit in changing the system now.
7. We're lucky to be able to get the full benefit of her knowledge.
8. He began collecting his retirement benefits when he was 65.
9. He began collecting his retirement benefit when he was 65.
10. The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.

Origin of BENEFIT

Middle English, from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin bene factum, from neuter of bene factus, past participle of bene facere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BENEFIT

Synonyms: advantage, aid, asset, help, boon

Antonyms: disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus

Related Words: hand, lift, pick-me-up; support, sustenance; blessing, godsend, windfall; recourse, refuge, resort, resource

Near Antonyms: constraint, inhibitor, liability, obstacle, obstruction, restraint, stranglehold

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with BENEFIT

babysit, borrow pit, cable-knit, candlelit, come off it, counterfeit, cuckoo spit, double knit, get with it, hissy fit, holy writ, hypocrite, infield hit, intermit, intromit, manumit, megahit, mother wit, out of it, put to it, recommit, retrofit, step on it