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Added 9 October 2026

beneficiary

/ˌbɛn.ɪˈfɪʃ.əɹ.i/ noun

Latin root: beneficiarius Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about beneficiary at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The recipient of funds or other benefits.
The semantic role of the intended recipient who benefits from the happening denoted by the verb in the clause.

adjective

Having or arising from a benefice.
a beneficiary baron

Origin

From Latin beneficiarius (“enjoying a favor, granted a privilege”) from beneficium (“benefit”), perhaps via or influenced by French bénéficiaire (“beneficiary”). Indirectly, by way of the etymology of the Latin word beneficium, the English word beneficiary ultimately has the same origin as the English word benefactor, its near antonym.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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