Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

benefit

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing.These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are morefrequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun British English pronunciation: benefit /ˈbenɪfɪt/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularbenefit
pluralbenefits
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] an advantage you get from a situation

    The new sports centre will bring lasting benefit to the community.

    benefit for:

    Consider the potential benefits of the deal for the company.

    get/gain/receive a benefit:

    The costs involved would outweigh any benefits gained.

    derive a benefit from something:

    Even Liza derived little benefit from the changes.

    reap a benefit:

    The town was still reaping the benefits years after the film’s release.

    be of benefit to someone/something:

    Not all competition is of benefit to the consumer.

    for someone’s benefit:

    Molly explained what was happening for my benefit.

    have the benefit of something:

    He has had the benefit of the best education money can buy.

  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] British money or other help that the government gives people who need financial help, for example because they do not have a job. The American word is welfare

    housing/sickness/disability benefit

    claim (a) benefit:

    There has been an increase in the number of people claiming benefit.

    get/receive (a) benefit:

    families receiving benefit

    on benefit:

    She’s been on unemployment benefit for six years.

irisin

a hormone … which can reproduce the health benefits of exercise and a good diet

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

alabaster

white stone used for making statues and other objects used for decoration

Open Dictionary

micropatronage

the action of supporting a project by donating money over the Internet

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog