beneficial

[ben-uh-fish-uh l] /ˌbɛn əˈfɪʃ əl/
adjective
1.
conferring benefit; advantageous; helpful:
the beneficial effect of sunshine.
2.
Law.
  1. helpful in the meeting of needs:
    a beneficial association.
  2. involving the personal enjoyment of proceeds:
    a beneficial owner.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English < Late Latin beneficiālis, equivalent to Latin benefici(um) kindness (see benefice) + -ālis -al1
Related forms
beneficially, adverb
beneficialness, noun
nonbeneficial, adjective
nonbeneficially, adverb
nonbeneficialness, noun
quasi-beneficial, adjective
quasi-beneficially, adverb
unbeneficial, adjective
unbeneficially, adverb
unbeneficialness, noun
Can be confused
beneficent, beneficial, benevolent.
Synonyms
1. salutary, wholesome, serviceable, useful, favorable, profitable.
Antonyms
1. harmful.
Examples from the web for beneficial
  • She thought that regular exercise would be beneficial.
  • Philanthropy and charity only function when they are beneficial to the donor.
  • If you encourage them, birds and beneficial insects will devour many insect pests.
  • If you need harmony and respect in your own life, maybe a cup of carefully prepared and considered green tea will be beneficial.
  • Like many, though, I wondered whether breaking my habit would be entirely beneficial.
  • Ambition is equally as risky as it is beneficial.
  • If you are not on a campus that offers such support, an online writing group might be beneficial to you.
  • Judging from one of the largest surveys of psychotherapy to date, most Americans who try psychotherapy think it is beneficial.
  • Walking is one of the most popular and beneficial exercises.
  • He suggests turning confrontational politics into a mutually beneficial alliance, which he believes both countries are ready for.
British Dictionary definitions for beneficial

beneficial

/ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl/
adjective
1.
(sometimes foll by to) causing a good result; advantageous
2.
(law) entitling a person to receive the profits or proceeds of property: a beneficial interest in land
Derived Forms
beneficially, adverb
Word Origin
C15: from Late Latin beneficiālis, from Latin beneficium kindness
Word Origin and History for beneficial
adj.

mid-15c., "helpful, advantageous," from Middle French bénéficial and directly from Latin beneficialis "pertaining to a favor," from beneficium (see benefice). Related: Beneficially.