- 1 [uncountable, countable] an advantage that something gives you; a helpful and useful effect that something has I've had the benefit of a good education. The new regulations will be of benefit to everyone concerned. It will be to your benefit to arrive early. He couldn't see the benefit of arguing any longer. the benefits of modern medicine It was good to see her finally reaping the benefits (= enjoying the results) of all her hard work. With the benefit of hindsight(= knowing what we have learnt since), we would do things differently. For maximum benefit, take the tablets before meals. see also cost-benefit, fringe benefit Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconsiderable, enormous, great, … verb + benefitenjoy, experience, have, … benefit + verbaccrue, arise from something, result from something, … prepositionfor somebody’s benefit, of benefit to, to somebody’s benefit, … See full entry
- 2[countable, usually plural, uncountable] (British English) money provided by the government to people who need financial help because they are unemployed, ill/sick, etc. The aim is to help people who are on benefits(= receiving benefits)to find jobs. You may be eligible to receive benefits. The number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell last month. see also child benefit, housing benefit, sickness benefit Wordfinderpoorbeg, benefit, charity, homeless, hostel, the poor, poverty, shanty town, sweatshop, unemployment Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivewelfare, state, insurance, … … of benefitamount, level verb + benefitbe eligible for, be entitled to, qualify for, … benefit + verbbe paid benefit + nounbenefits agency, office, payment, … prepositionon benefit See full entry See related entries: Unemployment
- 3[countable, usually plural] an advantage that you get from a company in addition to the money that you earn Private health insurance is offered as part of the employees' benefits package. see also fringe benefit Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivefringe, tax, employee, … verb + benefitgive, receive, extend, … benefit + nounplan, benefits package See full entry
- 4[countable, usually plural] money from an insurance company The insurance plan will provide substantial cash benefits to your family in case of your death.
- 5[countable] an event such as a performance, a dinner, etc., organized in order to raise money for a particular person or charity a benefit match/concert The proceeds from the benefit will go directly to the refugee camps. Wordfindercharityappeal, benefit, charity, collection, donation, fundraiser, handout, telethon, volunteer, welfare See related entries: Producing a play, Helping others Word Originlate Middle English (originally denoting a kind deed or something well done): from Old French bienfet, from Latin benefactum ‘good deed’, from bene facere ‘do good (to)’.Extra examples Benefit is paid monthly. Consumers choose organic meat for a number of reasons, including perceived health benefits. He had been denied the benefits of a good education. He receives unemployment benefit. He’s on social security benefit. I can see the benefits that such games give children. I reaped the benefits of all my early training. If you want to maximize the benefits of blueberries, eat them raw. It will be to everyone’s benefit. One way to cut spending is to move from universal benefits—those paid to everyone regardless of need—to means-tested ones. Same-sex couples were denied the benefits given to married couples. She is worried that if she takes on a job she will lose her benefits. The benefits easily outweigh the cost. The company derived substantial benefit from the deal. The different environmental groups could work together to their mutual benefit. The fringe benefits include free health insurance. The government has cut unemployment benefit. The industry will be one of the first to enjoy the benefits of the recovery. The method has many additional benefits. The new factory will bring considerable benefits to the area. These benefits will now be extended to agency workers. They somehow manage to work without the benefit of modern technology. This arrangement will be of great benefit to you both. This could bring real benefits for teachers. This deal will offer major benefits to industrialists and investors. We shall do this for the benefit of the patients. Weigh the benefits of hiring help before hiring new employees. What are the benefits to investors? You may be able to claim housing benefit. a marketing campaign which promotes the cosmetic benefits of vitamin E children who have the benefit of a stable home background the benefit of a steady income the benefits for companies the benefits from tourism the benefits that accrue from a good education Benefits include a company pension and free health insurance. He couldn’t see the benefit of arguing any longer. It was good to see her finally reaping the benefits of all her hard work. It will be to your benefit to arrive on time. The new regulations will be of benefit to everyone. The salary’s not too good, but there are plenty of fringe benefits. This scheme will be of mutual benefit to both employers and employees. We offer a generous benefits package.Idioms
noun jump to other results
BrE BrE//ˈbenɪfɪt//; NAmE NAmE//ˈbenɪfɪt//
Unemployment, Producing a play, Helping others especially in order to help or be useful to somebody I have typed out some lecture notes for the benefit of those people who were absent last week. Don't go to any trouble for my benefit!
to accept that somebody has told the truth or has not done something wrong because you cannot prove that they have not told the truth/have done something wrong She may have been lying, but I felt I had to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Check pronunciation: benefit
