benevolent

CEFRC1

/bəˈnɛvələnt/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Altruistic, charitable, good, just and fair.

Examples

  • He was a benevolent old man who volunteered to mow his neighbors' lawns for free.

  • Why would a benevolent god allow Hell to exist?

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
2

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Possessing or manifesting love for mankind.

  2. Having a disposition to do good.

More examples

In context

  • Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.

  • She's a benevolent witch.

  • Benevolence? vvhich ſhall I be benevolent to; or vvhich firſt? I am puſſell'd in the choice.

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The wealthy donor was known for her blank nature, always giving to charity.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Old French benevolent, borrowed from Latin benevolēns ("benevolent"). Displaced native Old English welwillende (literally well-wishing).