beneficent

[buh-nef-uh-suhnt]

adjective

1. doing good or causing good to be done; conferring benefits; kindly in action or purpose.

beneficent

/ bɪˈnɛfɪsənt /

adjective

1. charitable; generous

Other Word Forms

• beneficently adverb
• nonbeneficent adjective
• nonbeneficently adverb
• unbeneficent adjective
• unbeneficently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficent¹

First recorded in 1610–20; benefic(ence) + -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficent¹

C17: from Latin beneficent- , from beneficus ; see _benefice

Example Sentences

Plus, a lot of social policies that many Californians consider beneficent and broad-minded that, to put it mildly, others around the country consider much less so.

From Los Angeles Times

Virgil’s journey toward a beneficent existence starts with a family member’s funeral, continues through another relative’s hospice stay and then achieves fulfillment with our hero’s compassion-driven decision to look after the dead.

From New York Times

She brought to the ghostly role her own expansive sense of history — once again revealing eternity through her beneficent, dazzling, invincible artistry.

From Los Angeles Times

“Not that they were perfect by any means, but they were infinitely more successful and beneficent colonizers than other European countries.”

From New York Times

Speaking to the Australian Newspaper about the upcoming vote, Mr Howard described colonisation as "inevitable" and praised the British as "infinitely more successful and beneficent colonisers" than their European counterparts.

From BBC