Word
benign
Phoneticsbe·nign, stress on the second syllable
US/bɪˈnaɪn/
UK/bɪnˈaɪn/
Definitions
01kind and gentle
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. kind, gentle, and not likely to hurt anyone.
adj. of a mild, kind, or gentle disposition; showing a lack of hostility.
“The old man had a benign smile that made the children feel safe.”
“Despite his imposing physical presence, the professor possessed a benign temperament that encouraged even the most timid students to participate in class discussions.”
Synonyms
02not cancerous
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine Technical
adj. not dangerous to your health; specifically, a growth that is not cancer.
adj. not malignant; describing a tumour or condition that does not invade surrounding tissue or spread throughout the body.
“The doctor called with the good news that the lump was benign.”
“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.
Synonyms
03favourable or mild
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. mild and pleasant, especially when talking about weather or effects.
adj. having a kindly or favourable effect; mild in influence or climate.
“The island enjoys a benign climate with warm sun and gentle breezes.”
“Economists argued that the benign market conditions of the previous decade were unlikely to persist in the face of rising interest rates.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04environmentally friendly
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. not harmful to the environment.
adj. having little or no detrimental impact on the natural environment.
“The company is looking for a more benign way to dispose of its waste.”
“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'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“They studied the movement of cells from benign tumors and cells of increasing malignancy.” “The self-discovery that travel can bring is not always benign.” “The researchers also embedded the nanoreactors in an environmentally benign sodium alginate hydrogel matrix.” Etymology
From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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