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.

BENEVOLENT definition: 1. kind and helpful: 2. giving money or help to people or organizations that need it: 3. kind and…. Learn more.

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 …

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 …

Definition of benevolent adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

1. intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly: a benevolent smile; a benevolent old man. 2. doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable: a benevolent organization.

benevolent, adj. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Jan 18, 2026 · Adjective benevolent (comparative more benevolent, superlative most benevolent) Having a disposition to do good.

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 …