# behalf

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɪˈhæf/ · frequency rank #3,470

## Definitions
1. The interest, benefit, or wellbeing of someone or something.
2. One's role or rightful place; stead or authority.

## Etymology
From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.

## Easily confused with
- **behave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/behalf-vs-behave)
- **behold** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/behalf-vs-behold)
- **beal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/beal-vs-behalf)
- **befall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/befall-vs-behalf)

## Common misspellings (9)
`bbehalf`, `beahlf`, `behafl`, `behalff`, `behallf`, `behhalf`, `behlaf`, `bhealf`, `ebhalf`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/behalf