Beneficent
/bəˈnɛfɪsənt/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Beneficent describes a person or action that is kind and helpful, often giving help or good things to others. It means being generous and doing good deeds that benefit people or communities.
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See It in Action
Showing kindness by doing good or helping others
- •The beneficent teacher always helped her students after class.
- •Volunteers performed beneficent acts by cleaning the park.
- •His beneficent nature made him loved by everyone in the village.
Producing good effects or benefits through actions
- •The charity’s beneficent work improved many lives.
- •Beneficent policies helped reduce poverty in the region.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "beneficent" like "kind" (A1 word), but stronger and more active—it means not just feeling kind but actually doing good things for others
- ✓Picture a person giving food, money, or help to someone in need with a warm smile
- ✓It feels like the happiness you get when you help a friend or someone who needs support
- ✓Sounds like "be-NEF-ih-sent" → imagine someone "being" full of "benefit" or good effects for others
- ✓Think of stories about heroes or good kings who help their people generously, like Santa Claus giving gifts
- ✓NOT like "nice" (which can be just polite or friendly), beneficent means actively doing good and helping
- ✓NOT like "beneficial" (which means something is good for you), beneficent is about the person or their action giving help or kindness
Try Other Words
- •Charitable: giving help or money to those in need (Use when focusing on giving money or gifts)
- •Generous: willing to give more than usual (Use when emphasizing giving or sharing freely)
- •Helpful: giving help or support (Use when focusing on practical assistance)
- •Kind: showing care and friendliness (Use in everyday situations with less formal tone)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "bene-" (good) + "-ficent" (doing, making) → literally "doing good"
- •Etymology: From Latin "beneficent-", from "beneficere" meaning "to do good"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe people or actions that do good or produce benefits
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or literary contexts to describe generous, kind, or helpful actions or people
Reflect & Connect
•Can a beneficent action be small but still very important? Why or why not?
•How do you feel when someone does something beneficent for you or others?
Fill in the blanks
1.The beneficent doctor worked ___ to help patients recover quickly.
2.People remember her beneficent acts because they ___ many lives.
3.Unlike just being polite, beneficent behavior means ___ kindness through action.
4.The charity’s beneficent work ___ many families in the community.
5.When someone is beneficent, they often ___ time or money to help others.
6.Beneficent actions usually make others feel ___ and cared for.
7.A beneficent leader focuses on ___ the well-being of all people, not just themselves.