Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Latin
Origin: bene 'well' + volens (present participle of velle 'to wish')

benevolent

 adjective
     
be‧nev‧o‧lent
kind and generous:
A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons.
a benevolent smile
—benevolence noun [uncountable]
—benevolently adverb
WORD FOCUS: kind WORD FOCUS: kind
similar words: nice, considerate, thoughtful, sympathetic, benevolent, compassionate, gentle

➔ See also kind
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary