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

But, leaving certain dead plant material in place also enriches the soil and creates a habitat for beneficial insects—so there are some exceptions. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026

No distributions were ever made by the Children's Trust to any of its beneficiaries, and the beneficial shares of that trust were not divided into separate shares for each of the beneficiaries as was also required by the 2020 amendment. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Onions Onions are in the same botanical family as garlic, and have similar beneficial plant compounds. — Carrie Madormo, HEALTH, 7 Aug. 2026

But lawmakers appear to be turning to the provisions as a means of transitioning away from that model and toward what proponents, including Netanyahu, describe as a mutually beneficial defense partnership. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Aug. 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