beneficial

adjective

ben·​e·​fi·​cial ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-shəl 

1

: producing good results or helpful effects : conferring benefits (see benefit entry 1 sense 1)

the beneficial effects of regular exercise

insects that are beneficial to your garden

2

: receiving or entitling one to receive advantage, use, or benefit

a beneficial owner of securities

a beneficial interest in an estate

beneficially

ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

beneficialness noun

Synonyms of beneficial

• favorable
• helpful
• good
• profitable

Examples of beneficial in a Sentence

He hopes the new drug will prove beneficial to many people.

Regular exercise has many beneficial health effects.

They have a relationship that is beneficial to both of them.

Some insects are harmful but others are beneficial.

Recent Examples on the Web

The latest look at the impacts of tariffs on Colorado businesses found that 86% of the businesses view the tariffs levied this year as challenges and only 14% see them as beneficial. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025

Seal of Acceptance, which means that podiatrists recommend it as beneficial to foot health. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Andrii Yalanskyi/Getty Images As the Federal Reserve raised rates throughout 2022 and into 2023, the high-rate environment led certificates of deposit (CDs) to be one of the most obvious and beneficial choices for earning more on your savings. —Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025

Double core-hole insights Using these krypton ions proved beneficial as both steps in exciting the two core electrons required almost the same photon energy. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin beneficium favor, benefit — see benefice

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for beneficial

• artificial
• cicatricial
• interstitial
• nonjudicial
• nonofficial
• prejudicial
• sacrificial
• superficial
• unofficial
• extrajudicial
• semiofficial
• initial

Kids Definition

beneficial

adjective

ben·​e·​fi·​cial ˌben-ə-ˈfish-əl 

: producing results that are good for health and happiness

beneficially

-ˈfish-ə-lē 

adverb

beneficialness noun

Legal Definition

beneficial

adjective

ben·​e·​fi·​cial ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-shəl 

1

: providing benefits or advantages

2

: receiving or entitling one to receive an advantage, benefit, or use

a beneficial shareholder

a beneficial estate

beneficially

-shə-lē 

adverb