Meaning & use
benefice
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Meaning
nouncountablereligionformal
A paid position as a church minister, especially in the Church of England, that provides a fixed income.
Grammar: Use it for the job and its income, not for the church building or the person.
Patterns
- hold a benefice
- be appointed to a benefice
After many years as a curate, he was finally given his own benefice in a country parish.
The bishop has the authority to appoint clergy to vacant benefices.
She inherited a small benefice from her uncle, which allowed her to continue her studies.
Word forms
| plural | benefices |
|---|
Common combinations
- hold a benefice
- He holds a benefice in the north of England.
- vacant benefice
- The vacant benefice was advertised in the church newsletter.
- confer a benefice
- The bishop conferred the benefice on a young priest.
- benefice of a parish
- The benefice of this parish includes three villages.
Synonyms and how they differ
- living
- In British English, a 'living' is a church position with income, very close in meaning to benefice.
- incumbency
- This is the formal term for the period of holding a church office, not the income itself.
Commonly confused: benefice or benefit? benefice or benefactor?
benefice vs benefit
Benefit is a general word for an advantage or payment; benefice is only a church position.
benefice vs benefactor
A benefactor is a person who gives money or help; a benefice is the position or income received.
Practice
The bishop appointed him to a _____ in a small rural parish.
Choose one answer.
A benefice is a church position with income, which fits the context of a bishop appointing someone. 'Benefit' is a general advantage, 'benefactor' is a person who gives help, and 'beneficence' is the quality of doing good.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “benefice”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.