beneficial

[ben-uh-fish-uhl]

adjective

1. conferring benefit; advantageous; helpful.

   the beneficial effect of sunshine.

   Synonyms: profitable, favorable, useful, serviceable, wholesome, salutary
   Antonyms: harmful

2. Law.

   1. helpful in the meeting of needs.

      a beneficial association.

   2. involving the personal enjoyment of proceeds.

      a beneficial owner.

beneficial

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl /

adjective

1. (sometimes foll by to) causing a good result; advantageous

2. law entitling a person to receive the profits or proceeds of property

   a beneficial interest in land

Other Word Forms

• beneficially adverb
• beneficialness noun
• nonbeneficial adjective
• nonbeneficially adverb
• nonbeneficialness noun
• quasi-beneficial adjective
• quasi-beneficially adverb
• unbeneficial adjective
• unbeneficially adverb
• unbeneficialness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficial¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin beneficiālis, equivalent to Latin benefici(um) “kindness” ( benefice ( def. ) ) + -ālis -al ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficial¹

C15: from Late Latin beneficiālis , from Latin beneficium kindness

Example Sentences

"We're quite happy to see the strong focus on critical metals," he says, arguing the tariffs are "beneficial" for Boston Metal.

From BBC

In recent decades, a growing body of research has found that psilocybin can be beneficial in treating mental health conditions including depression, anxiety and substance use disorder.

From Los Angeles Times

We’ve done studies with people who have been diagnosed with clinical depression and we weren’t actually sure if the nature walk would be as beneficial to them.

From Los Angeles Times

Asking what support they need, what will help them today, and what that support might look like can be really beneficial, Stevie adds.

From BBC

This low fluctuation glycemic response could be beneficial to the body in the long run, researchers say.

From BBC

Related Words

• benign 
• constructive 
• favorable 
• good 
• helpful 
• profitable 
• useful 
• valuable