benevolent
adjective/bəˈnevələnt/
/bəˈnevələnt/
- (formal) (especially of people in authority) kind, helpful and generous
- a benevolent smile/attitude
- belief in the existence of a benevolent god
- a benevolent dictatorship
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesc2- She took a benevolent interest in her nieces' education.
- The colonel was benevolent, but not stupid.
- They consider themselves to be benevolent employers, providing sick pay and pensions for all their workers.
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- used in the names of some organizations that give help and money to people in need
- the RAF Benevolent Fund
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French benivolent, from Latin bene volent- ‘well wishing’, from bene ‘well’ + velle ‘to wish’.
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benevolent