benefit
benefit
ben·e·fit
I
/ˈbɛnəˌfıt/ noun , pl -fits
1 : a good or helpful result or effect
[ count ] the benefits of fresh air and sunshine
A benefit of museum membership is that purchases are discounted.
There are many financial benefits to owning your own home.
She is just now starting to reap/enjoy the benefits of all her hard work.
The benefits of taking the drug outweigh its risks.
[ noncount ] I see no benefit in changing the system now.
We're lucky to be able to get the full benefit of/from her knowledge.
These changes will be of benefit to all of you. [=will help/benefit all of you]
These changes will be to your benefit. [=will help you]
I'm not doing it for myself; I'm doing it for your benefit. [=to help you; for your sake]
Since he owns the land, he thinks he should be free to use it for his own benefit. [=in a way that is helpful to him]
2 a : money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc.
[ count ] He began collecting his retirement benefits when he was 65.
a disability benefit
(Brit) a family on benefits [=(US) on welfare; receiving money from the government because of a low income or lack of income]
[ noncount ] He began collecting his retirement benefit when he was 65.
(Brit) He is on housing/unemployment benefit. — see also child benefit, death benefit, sickness benefit
2 b [ count ] : something extra (such as vacation time or health insurance) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay : fringe benefit
The company provides health (insurance) benefits.
The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.
— often used before another noun
a company with a good benefit plan/package/program
3 [ count ] : a social event to raise money for a person or cause
The school is having/holding a benefit to raise money for a new gymnasium.
a charity benefit
— often used before another noun
a benefit concert/dinner/event/performance
have the benefit of
: to be helped by (something) : to be able to use (something)
Her judgment will be better when she has the benefit of more experience.
the benefit of the doubt
◇ When people give you the benefit of the doubt, they treat you as someone who is honest or deserving of trust even though they are not sure that you really are.
He might be lying, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt and accept what he says for now.
without the benefit of (
: without the help of (something or someone)
The band had to perform without benefit of a rehearsal.
He was able to learn a great deal without the benefit of formal schooling.
You shouldn't try to handle this problem without benefit of a lawyer.
They lived together without (the) benefit of marriage. [=without being married]
with the benefit of
: with the help of (something) : by using (something)
With the benefit of hindsight, he saw where he had made a mistake.
She'll do better with the benefit of more experience.
————————
II
verb , -fits, -fit·ed also -fit·ted, -fit·ing also -fit·ting
1 [ + obj ] : to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)
The new plan may benefit many students.
medicines that benefit thousands of people
These changes will benefit all of you. = All of you will be benefited by these changes.
The politician held a fund-raiser to benefit his campaign.
Some critics say that the tax cuts only benefit wealthy people.
2 [ no obj ] : to be helped
He'll benefit by having experiences I never did.
— often + from
I benefited from the experience.
Many patients will benefit from the new drug.
All of you will benefit from these changes.
Some critics say that only wealthy people will benefit from the tax cuts.
