WordofTheDay.US

Added 9 October 2026

benevolent

/bəˈnɛvələnt/ adjective

Categories: Describing WordsUncommon Words

In Latin: benevolens Wiktionary

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

  1. Intending or showing kindness.
    a benevolent society
  2. Showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity.
    was charitable in his opinions of others
  3. Generous in providing aid to others.

Origin

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

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

Related Words: good-heartedkindlygenerousgraciousopenheartedbeneficentgoodcharitablephilanthropiceleemosynaryfreeheartedkind

Back to today's word