Meaning & use
beneficial
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Producing good results or having a helpful, favorable effect.
Grammar: Can be comparative: more beneficial, most beneficial. Often followed by 'to' or 'for'.
Patterns
- beneficial to someone/something
- beneficial for someone/something
- highly beneficial
Regular exercise is beneficial to your health.
The new policy proved beneficial for small businesses.
A good diet is beneficial for children's growth.
Word forms
| comparative | more beneficial |
|---|---|
| superlative | most beneficial |
Common combinations
- beneficial to
- The changes were beneficial to everyone involved.
- beneficial for
- This cream is beneficial for dry skin.
- mutually beneficial
- The partnership was mutually beneficial.
- highly beneficial
- The mentoring program was highly beneficial for new employees.
Synonyms and how they differ
- helpful
- More general and often used for people or things that assist; beneficial often implies a positive effect or advantage.
- advantageous
- Suggests a benefit that gives an edge; more formal than beneficial.
- favorable
- Describes conditions that are good or advantageous; beneficial focuses on the result.
Opposites
Word family
- benefit noun
- An advantage or profit gained from something.
- benefit verb
- To receive an advantage or to be helped.
- beneficially adverb
- In a way that produces good results.
- beneficiary noun
- A person who receives benefits, especially from a will or insurance.
Commonly confused: beneficial or beneficent?
beneficial vs beneficent
Beneficent means doing good or being generous; beneficial means producing a good effect.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'beneficial' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition is 'for' when talking about a condition or purpose. 'Beneficial to' is used for people or organizations, not for a headache. 'Of' and 'with' are not used with 'beneficial'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “beneficial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.