ENGLISH
REFERENCE

benevolence

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //bəˈnɛvəɫəns// UK //bənˈɛvələns// benev·o·lence Archaic

n. the quality of being kind and wanting to help others. It is a strong word for a person who is very generous and cares about the well-being of others.

n. the quality of being kind, generous, and helpful to others. Often implies a consistent or habitual disposition toward charity and goodwill.


SIMPLE

The old man was known for his great benevolence.

CONTEXTUAL

The foundation was established through the benevolence of a wealthy industrialist who wanted to improve local education.

COMPLEX

While the public admired his benevolence, critics questioned whether his charitable donations were intended to offset the environmental damage caused by his primary business ventures.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Circa 1400, original sense “good will, disposition to do good”, Old French benivolence from Latin benevolentia (also directly from Latin), literally “good will”, from bene (“well, good”) + volentia, form of volēns, form of volō (“I wish”), components cognate to English benefit and voluntary, more distantly will (via Proto-Indo-European).

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