beneficial

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

Synonyms

• advantageous
• benefic
• beneficent
• benignant
• favorable
• friendly
• good
• helpful
• kindly
• profitable
• salutary

Examples of beneficial in a Sentence

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

The upcoming administration’s appointee for the U.S. Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, has stated that there is no clear evidence that fluoride is beneficial, and that there are potential risks of cancer development due to fluoridated water. —Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Games console manufacturers have also found subscriptions to be hugely beneficial to their bottom line. —Verity Burns, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2024

That would be especially beneficial during moments when the grid is heavily impacted, such as on a hot summer day. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024

Soon-Shiong had suggested that having someone like Scott Jennings on the board would be beneficial. —Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin beneficium favor, benefit — see benefice

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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