benefit
/ˈbenɪfɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbenɪfɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbe-nə-ˌfit/ (ame, mw) · /ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈben.ə.fɪt/ (ame, ipa)
benefit — noun
1. a good thing that you gain from a situation, action, or product — for example, t
a good thing that you gain from a situation, action, or product — for example, the way regular exercise improves your sleep, or the way a new road shortens your drive home.
Amara finally noticed the benefits of yoga: deeper sleep and a calmer mind.
noun + of + noun phrase showing what causes the benefit
One big benefit of working from home is skipping the long bus ride.
benefit of + gerund
The new bridge brings real benefits to the small fishing town.
There is little benefit in arguing with Diego once he has made up his mind.
Greta explained the health benefits of eating more fish to her grandmother.
- drawback
the bad side of something otherwise useful
- disadvantage
more neutral and formal than 'drawback'
文法句型
benefit of doing something
benefit of something
用法筆記
Often plural ('the benefits of X'). Frequently followed by 'of' + noun or '-ing'. When the subject is the source of help, use 'bring/offer/provide benefits to someone' rather than 'give'.
常見錯誤
2. extra things a company gives its workers on top of their pay — for example, medi
extra things a company gives its workers on top of their pay — for example, medical cover, paid holidays, or money put aside for retirement.
The startup offers free lunches and good health benefits to every full-time worker.
collocation: health benefits
Hadiya took the lower-paid job because the benefits package included free dental care.
collocation: benefits package
Part-time staff at the bookstore do not receive any company benefits.
Generous parental-leave benefits helped the bank attract young engineers.
- perk
informal everyday word for the same idea, especially small extras like free coffee
- fringe benefit
more formal HR term; emphasises that it is on top of salary
文法句型
employee benefits
benefits package
用法筆記
Almost always plural in this sense. Common modifiers name what the extra covers: health, dental, retirement, parental-leave. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers specifically to non-cash items provided by an employer.
常見錯誤
3. money paid by the state to people who are out of work, sick, retired, or otherwi
money paid by the state to people who are out of work, sick, retired, or otherwise unable to earn enough to live on.
After losing his factory job, Daniel claimed unemployment benefits for six months.
verb: claim + benefits
Many older residents in the village rely on a small state benefit each week.
rely on + state benefit
The government plans to cut housing benefits for higher earners next year.
Single parents in the UK can apply for child benefit through the local office.
文法句型
claim benefits
on benefits
用法筆記
More common in British English; American English often uses 'welfare' or specific names like 'Social Security'. Common collocations: 'claim/receive/draw benefits', 'on benefits' (= relying on this money to live).
常見錯誤
4. the money or service that an insurance policy or pension plan pays out when some
the money or service that an insurance policy or pension plan pays out when something covered by the contract happens.
After her father died, Aiko filed a claim for the life-insurance benefit.
collocation: life-insurance benefit
The policy pays a monthly benefit if the holder cannot work because of illness.
pay + a benefit (insurance context)
Mr. Xiomara's pension plan offers a small death benefit to his wife and children.
After Mr. Lin broke his leg at work, his policy paid a weekly benefit for three months.
文法句型
claim a benefit
death benefit
用法筆記
Used inside insurance, pension, or annuity contracts. Common compounds: 'death benefit', 'disability benefit', 'survivor benefit'. Distinguish from sense 3: this money comes from a private contract, not the government.
常見錯誤
5. a concert, dinner, or similar event held so that the ticket money can go to a ch
a concert, dinner, or similar event held so that the ticket money can go to a charity, a sick person, or another good cause.
Local musicians played a benefit at the town hall to help families after the flood.
noun used alone: 'a benefit' = the event itself
The benefit concert raised over forty thousand dollars for the children's hospital.
compound: benefit concert
Famous chefs cooked at a benefit dinner for victims of the wildfire.
Diana organised a small benefit for her old music teacher's medical bills.
- fundraiser
broader; any event whose purpose is to raise money for a cause
- charity event
neutral, descriptive; less specific about the format
文法句型
benefit concert
benefit for someone
用法筆記
Often used as a modifier before another noun: 'benefit concert', 'benefit dinner', 'benefit gala'. Use 'a benefit for X' to name who or what the money is meant to help.
常見錯誤
benefit — verb
1. to gain something useful — money, knowledge, better health, an easier life — bec
to gain something useful — money, knowledge, better health, an easier life — because of a particular thing or situation.
Quiet students often benefit from working in small groups rather than alone.
intransitive: benefit + from + noun phrase
Amara's grandmother has benefited greatly from the new heart medicine.
common adverb: greatly
Coastal villages will benefit most from the early-warning system.
Hadiya hopes to benefit from his uncle's experience when he opens his bakery.
文法句型
benefit from something
benefit greatly from
用法筆記
In this sense, the subject is the person or group who gains, and the source is introduced by 'from'. Frequently passive-resistant: prefer 'X benefits from Y', not 'Y is benefited by X'. Common adverbs: 'greatly', 'enormously', 'directly'.
常見錯誤
2. (of a thing, action, or decision) to be good for a person or group by helping, s
(of a thing, action, or decision) to be good for a person or group by helping, supporting, or making things easier for them.
Cheaper public transport would benefit thousands of workers in the city.
transitive: subject (a policy) + benefit + people
Reading aloud every night will benefit your daughter's vocabulary.
abstract subject + benefit + person's skill
The new trade deal mainly benefits large farms, not small family ones.
A short walk after lunch can benefit both your mood and your digestion.
文法句型
benefit + person/group
benefit + the economy/community
用法筆記
In this sense, the subject is the helpful thing and the object is the person or group helped — the opposite direction from sense 1. If you can rewrite the sentence as 'X benefits from Y', you are using sense 1; if it is 'Y benefits X', you are using sense 2.