# benefit

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɛn.ɪ.fɪt/ · frequency rank #1,592

## Definitions
1. An advantage; help or aid from something.
2. A payment made in accordance with an insurance policy or a public assistance scheme.
3. An event, such as a theatrical performance, given to raise funds for some cause.
4. beneficence; liberality
5. Intended audience (as for the benefit of).

## Etymology
From Late Middle English benefytt, benefett, alteration (due to Latin bene-) of benfet, bienfet, bienfait (“good or noble deed”), from Anglo-Norman benfet (“well-done”), Middle French bienfait, from Old French bienfet, bienfait (“foredeal, favour”), from past participle of bienfaire (“to do good, do well”), from bien (“well”) + faire (“to do”), modelled after Latin benefactum (“good deed”). More at benefactor.

## Easily confused with
- **Benoit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/benefit-vs-benoit)
- **bereft** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/benefit-vs-bereft)
- **benefits** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/benefit-vs-benefits)
- **benedict** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/benedict-vs-benefit)

## Common misspellings (10)
`bbenefit`, `beenfit`, `beneffit`, `benefitt`, `benefti`, `beneift`, `benfeit`, `bennefit`, `bneefit`, `ebnefit`

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