Meaning & use
bene
Last updated
UK/ˈbɛneɪ/
US/ˈbɛneɪ/
Meaning
prefixformal
Meaning 'well' or 'good', used at the start of some words from Latin.
Grammar: Combines with other word parts to form words like benevolent or beneficial.
Patterns
- bene- + noun
- bene- + adjective
A benevolent person is kind and helpful.
The medicine had a beneficial effect on her health.
The benefactor donated money to the school.
Common combinations
- benevolent
- The benevolent old man gave gifts to all the children.
- beneficial
- Regular exercise is beneficial to your health.
- benefactor
- An anonymous benefactor paid for the new library.
- beneficiary
- She was the main beneficiary of her uncle's will.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eu-
- Eu- also means good or well, but is used in words from Greek, like euphemism.
Opposites
Word family
- benevolent adjective
- Kind and generous.
- beneficial adjective
- Having a good effect.
- benefit noun
- An advantage or good effect.
Commonly confused: bene or bon-?
bene vs bon-
Bon- comes from French and also means good, as in bon appétit, but it is not used in the same words as bene-.
Practice
Which word contains the prefix bene- meaning 'good'?
Choose one answer.
All three words contain the prefix bene-: beneficial (good effect), benign (kind or harmless), and benediction (a blessing, literally 'good saying').
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bene”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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