Benevolent
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
adjectiveIntermediate📊CommonEmotion
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
Characterized by or showing goodwill or kindness.
/bəˈnɛvələnt/
adjectivepositiveIntermediate
Emotion
Well-meaning and kindly.
He was a benevolent employer, always looking out for his workers' welfare.
💡 Simply: Kind and generous
More Examples
2
Her benevolent nature led her to volunteer at a homeless shelter.
How It's Used
Charity
"The benevolent organization donated millions to the cause."
Literature
"The king, though powerful, was known for his benevolent rule."
From Middle English *benevolent, from Old French *benevolent, from Latin *benevolens, present participle of *benēvolēre "to wish well", from *bene "well" + *volēre "to wish".
The word has maintained a consistently positive connotation throughout its history, often used to describe rulers and institutions.
Memory tip
Think 'bene' (well) and 'volent' (wishing), wishing well for others.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"well-wishing"
Base: benevolence
benevolent dictatorbenevolent societybenevolent fund
Common misspellings
benevolenttbenivelentbenevolant
Practice
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written