One who is benevolent genuinely wishes other people well, a meaning reflected clearly in the word's Latin roots: benevolent comes from bene, meaning "good," and velle, meaning "to wish."
BENEVOLENT definition: characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings. See examples of benevolent used in a sentence.
Adjective benevolent (comparative more benevolent, superlative most benevolent) Having a disposition to do good. Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.
Choose the adjective benevolent for someone who does good deeds or shows goodwill. If your teacher collects homework with a benevolent smile, she's hoping that you've done a good job. Benevolent comes from the Latin bene, "well," and volent, from a verb meaning "to wish."
be nev o lent (bə nev′ ə lənt), adj. characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile. desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several benevolent alumni. intended for benefits rather than profit: a benevolent institution.
BENEVOLENT definition: 1. kind and helpful: 2. giving money or help to people or organizations that need it: 3. kind and…. Learn more.
These adjectives mean of, concerned with, providing, or provided by charity: a benevolent fund; a charitable foundation; eleemosynary relief; philanthropic contributions.
If you describe a person in authority as benevolent, you mean that they are kind and fair. The company has proved to be a most benevolent employer. They believe that the country needs a benevolent dictator.
Definition of benevolent adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.