What does "beneficial" mean?

1. (helpful or good) having a good or helpful effect on something. 2. (receiving a benefit) receiving money, property, or an advantage from something like a will or a trust.

How do you use "beneficial"?

Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' or 'for'. Often appears in the fixed phrase 'beneficial owner' or 'beneficial interest'.

beneficial

adj.

US //ˌbɛnəˈfɪʃəɫ// UK //bˌɛnɪfˈɪʃəl// ben·e·fi·cial

1 helpful or good (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

having a good or helpful effect on something.

producing a positive result or providing an advantage. Often used in formal or academic contexts to describe the impact of a policy, habit, or substance.

Example

Regular exercise is very beneficial for your physical and mental health.

Example

The researchers concluded that the new trade agreement would be mutually beneficial for both nations, stimulating growth in the technology sector.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' or 'for'.
2 receiving a benefit (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

receiving money, property, or an advantage from something like a will or a trust.

relating to the rights of a person who receives profits or advantages from property, even if the legal title belongs to another.

Example

He is the beneficial owner of the property, even though his lawyer manages it.

Example

The court had to determine the beneficial interest of the heirs before the estate could be liquidated and the funds distributed.

Usage

Often appears in the fixed phrase 'beneficial owner' or 'beneficial interest'.
- entitled

Origin

From Late Latin beneficiālis (“beneficial”), from Latin beneficium (“benefit, favor, kindness”).