What does "benign" mean?

1. (kind and gentle) kind, gentle, and not likely to hurt anyone. 2. (not cancerous) not dangerous to your health; specifically, a growth that is not cancer. 3. (favourable or mild) mild and pleasant, especially when talking about weather or effects. 4. (environmentally friendly) not harmful to the environment.

How do you use "benign"?

Usually used to describe tumours, growths, or test results. Often appears in the compound 'environmentally benign'.

benign

adj.

US //bɪˈnaɪn// UK //bɪnˈaɪn// be·nign

1 kind and gentle (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

kind, gentle, and not likely to hurt anyone.

of a mild, kind, or gentle disposition; showing a lack of hostility.

Example

The old man had a benign smile that made the children feel safe.

Example

Despite his imposing physical presence, the professor possessed a benign temperament that encouraged even the most timid students to participate in class discussions.
- hostile
- malicious
2 not cancerous (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

not dangerous to your health; specifically, a growth that is not cancer.

not malignant; describing a tumour or condition that does not invade surrounding tissue or spread throughout the body.

Example

The doctor called with the good news that the lump was benign.

Example

The biopsy results confirmed that the growth was benign, significantly relieving the patient's anxiety regarding the necessity of aggressive chemotherapy.

Usage

Usually used to describe tumours, growths, or test results.
- non malignant
- harmless
- malignant
- cancerous

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3 favourable or mild (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic

mild and pleasant, especially when talking about weather or effects.

having a kindly or favourable effect; mild in influence or climate.

Example

The island enjoys a benign climate with warm sun and gentle breezes.

Example

Economists argued that the benign market conditions of the previous decade were unlikely to persist in the face of rising interest rates.
- harsh
- unfavourable
4 environmentally friendly (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

not harmful to the environment.

having little or no detrimental impact on the natural environment.

Example

The company is looking for a more benign way to dispose of its waste.

Example

The research team focused on developing environmentally benign polymers that would degrade naturally without releasing toxic by-products into the soil.

Usage

Often appears in the compound 'environmentally benign'.
- eco friendly
- harmless
- toxic
- harmful

Origin

From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.