ENGLISH
REFERENCE

benny

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈbɛni// UK //bˈɛni// ben·ny Archaic Informal Slang

n. a benefit or extra reward you get from your job or a situation. It is a short, casual way to say 'benefit'.

n. an informal shortening of 'benefit', referring to a perk or advantage associated with a particular position or circumstance.


SIMPLE

One of the best bennies of this job is the free gym membership.

CONTEXTUAL

The salary is average, but the bennies like private health insurance and extra vacation days make it worth it.

COMPLEX

While the base pay was competitive, the executive was more interested in the long-term bennies, such as stock options and a generous retirement package.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

Clipping of Benjamin + -y.

Etymology 2

Clipping of Bernice or Bernadette.

Etymology 3

From the name of a dull-witted character, Benny Hawkins, in the British soap opera Crossroads.

Etymology 4

From the name of Benjamin Franklin, whose portrait is on the bill.

Etymology 5

Clipping of eggs Benedict.

Etymology 6

Uncertain, with myriad competing theories, some quite fanciful. Compare other mainly-Jersey Shore slang shoobie (“awkward beach tourist”).

Usage

Almost exclusively used in the plural form 'bennies'.

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