benevolent
gb/bənˈɛvələnt/ us/bənˈɛvələnt/
B2
English
~ 6900
jószívű, jóindulatú, jóságos, jótékonysági, karitatív
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
benevolent (to/toward [someone])
She was known as a benevolent neighbor who always checked on elderly residents in the building.
Jószívű szomszédként ismerték, aki mindig ránézett a ház idős lakóira.
His benevolent nature made him popular with both staff and students.
Jószívű természete miatt népszerű volt a munkatársak és a diákok körében is.
The doctor gave her a benevolent smile to calm her before the operation.
People saw him as a benevolent figure who tried to make the town a better place.
Underneath his strict manner, he was surprisingly benevolent and patient with children.
Learner examples
Our teacher is very benevolent and helps us after class.
A tanárunk nagyon jószívű: óra után is segít nekünk.
The old man gave the children a benevolent smile.
Az öregember jóságosan rámosolygott a gyerekekre.
Her benevolent boss lets her go home early when she is sick.
He seems cold, but he is actually a very benevolent person.
Many people loved her because of her benevolent character.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "benevolent" in very casual speech where "kind" or "nice" is more natural. "Benevolent" is correct, but it sounds more formal and is more common in writing than in everyday conversation. Learners also sometimes confuse "benevolent" with "malevolent"; remember that the "ben-" in "benevolent" is related to "benefit" (good), while "mal-" in "malevolent" is related to "malfunction" or "malnutrition" (bad).
Meaning
kind and wanting to help others
Collocations
a benevolent person
|a benevolent smile
|benevolent attitude
|benevolent toward others
|benevolent gesture
|a genuinely benevolent man
Synonyms
kind (More common and less formal; describes a warm, friendly nature.)
|
kind-hearted (Focuses slightly more on feeling soft or warm inside than on doing good.)
|
well-meaning (Stresses good intentions, but does not always suggest the action is effective.)
Antonyms
malevolent (Describes someone who wants to hurt or do bad things to others.)
|
cruel (Focuses on enjoying or not caring about causing pain.)
Themes
character
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Kind and wanting to help other people or do good things for them.
Having a genuinely kind, caring attitude and a desire to do good for other people.
C1
FORMAL
2
jótékonysági
B2
karitatív
C1
Usage pattern:
benevolent [organization/action/fund]
The company created a benevolent fund to support employees facing medical emergencies.
A vállalat segélyalapot hozott létre, hogy támogassa a súlyos egészségügyi helyzetbe kerülő alkalmazottakat.
She volunteers at a benevolent society that provides free meals to homeless families.
Egy jótékonysági egyesületnél önkénteskedik, amely ingyenes ételt ad otthontalan családoknak.
Several benevolent organizations worked together to rebuild the village after the flood.
His research is supported by a benevolent foundation that funds medical studies.
The union negotiated a benevolent scheme to help retired workers pay their rent.
Learner examples
He gave money to a benevolent organization that helps sick children.
Pénzt adományozott egy jótékonysági szervezetnek, amely beteg gyerekeket segít.
Our school has a benevolent fund for students who cannot buy books.
Az iskolánknak van egy segélyalapja azoknak a diákoknak, akik nem tudnak könyveket venni.
The benevolent society gives food to poor families every week.
Many benevolent groups came to help after the earthquake.
She started a benevolent project to give clean water to villages.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "benevolent" instead of "non-profit" or "charity" to name an organization (e.g., saying "a benevolent" instead of "a charity" or "a benevolent organization"). "Benevolent" is an adjective and usually needs a noun after it (e.g., "benevolent group", "benevolent fund").
Meaning
charitable or helping in purpose
Collocations
benevolent organization
|benevolent fund
|benevolent society
|benevolent association
|benevolent institution
|benevolent scheme
Synonyms
charitable (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and can sound less formal in some contexts.)
|
humanitarian (Emphasizes helping people in need or protecting human welfare, often internationally.)
Antonyms
exploitative (Describes organizations or actions that take advantage of people instead of helping them.)
|
self-serving (Describes actions or groups that mainly help themselves, not others.)
Themes
charity
|society
|work
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
Having the goal of helping people, especially as a group, program, or action that gives money or support.
Having the main purpose of giving help, support, or benefits to others, especially as an official organization, program, or action.
C1
FORMAL
3
jóindulatú
B2
jóságos
B2
Usage pattern:
benevolent [ruler/god/force]
Citizens saw the monarch as a benevolent ruler who genuinely cared for their welfare.
A polgárok jóindulatú uralkodónak tartották a királyt, aki őszintén törődött a jólétükkel.
The story imagines a benevolent dictator who uses absolute power to create a fairer society.
A történet egy jóindulatú diktátort képzel el, aki abszolút hatalmát arra használja, hogy igazságosabb társadalmat teremtsen.
In many traditions, God is described as a benevolent force guiding human lives.
They believed the universe to be fundamentally benevolent rather than cold and uncaring.
The manager acted as a kind of benevolent patriarch, making decisions for everyone's benefit.
Learner examples
The people trusted him as a benevolent leader.
Az emberek jóindulatú vezetőnek tartották, és bíztak benne.
Some people think of God as a benevolent power in the world.
Vannak, akik Istent jóindulatú erőnek tartják a világban.
In the book, there is a benevolent king who helps the poor.
He ruled like a benevolent father and tried to protect his people.
They saw nature as a benevolent force, not as an enemy.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "benevolent dictator" is always positive. In modern discussion, it is often used in a critical or doubtful way, suggesting that having a kind dictator is risky or unrealistic, even if the word "benevolent" itself is positive.
Meaning
kind and not harmful in power
Collocations
benevolent dictator
|benevolent ruler
|benevolent king
|benevolent leader
|benevolent god
|benevolent universe
Synonyms
benign (Suggests gentle and not harmful; often used for conditions, climates, or authority that is mild.)
|
paternalistic (Describes power used with a 'parent-like' attitude; can sound more critical than "benevolent".)
Antonyms
tyrannical (Describes rulers or systems that use power in a cruel, unfair way.)
|
oppressive (Describes power that keeps people down and limits their freedom or well-being.)
Themes
politics
|religion
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Having a lot of power but using it in a kind way that does not hurt people.
Having great power or influence but using it in a kind, protective, and non-harmful way, often said of rulers, gods, or larger forces.
Grammar
Dictionary form
benevolent
IPA
GB/bənˈɛvələnt/
US/bənˈɛvələnt/
Syllables & stress
be - ne - vol - ent (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ne)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: benevolent
Word family
Core family
benevolence
noun C1
benevolently
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
malevolent
adjective
malevolence
noun
Expressions
benevolent fund
1/bənˈɛvələnt fˈʌnd/
fixed phrase
formal
money set aside to help people
Money that is saved or collected to give to people who have problems, such as illness or loss of work.
Examples
- The company set up a benevolent fund to assist employees facing unexpected medical bills.
- Donations to the benevolent fund are used to support retired workers with low incomes.
benevolent society
1/bənˈɛvələnt səsˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
formal
organization that gives help or money
A group or club that is made to give help or money to people who need it.
Examples
- She volunteers twice a week at a local benevolent society that runs a food bank.
- In the nineteenth century, many cities had benevolent societies to support new immigrants.
benevolent dictator
1/bənˈɛvələnt dɪktˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
kind but autocratic ruler
A ruler who has complete power but uses it in a kind way to help people, not to hurt them.
Examples
- Some people argue that a benevolent dictator could make decisions faster than a democracy.
- The founder ran the company like a benevolent dictator, making all the choices but paying workers very well.
- The novel explores whether a benevolent dictator can stay benevolent as power grows.
benevolent dictator
2/bənˈɛvələnt dɪktˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
apparently kind, helpful dictator
A leader who has complete power like a dictator but is seen as kind and trying to help the people.
Examples
- Some supporters described the ruler as a benevolent dictator who modernized the country.
- In tech communities, a project may have a so-called benevolent dictator who makes final decisions.
- The idea of a benevolent dictator is attractive to some but dangerous if that power is abused.