beneficial

1 of 2

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

beneficialness

2 of 2

noun

ben·​e·​fi·​cial·​ness

¦be-nə-¦fi-shəl-nəs

plural -es

: the quality or state of being beneficial

Synonyms of beneficial

Adjective

• favorable
• helpful
• good
• profitable

Examples of beneficial in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

There are a few ways making two payments a month can be beneficial. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 6 Nov. 2026

While health experts widely agree that fluoride is beneficial to health, interest in fluoride-free alternatives is growing. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026

In-plan annuities, while the most available option, aren’t necessarily the most efficient or beneficial way for employees to achieve lifetime income. — Jeff Stevenson, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

The signal’s efficacy also fades over time, meaning that a single long outing to the zoo or park may be less beneficial than multiple outdoor jaunts of at least 30 minutes each. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin beneficium favor, benefit — see benefice

First Known Use

Adjective

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