Benevolent

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /bəˈnɛvələnt/

Definitions

1. Characterized by kindness, generosity, and a genuine desire to help others or promote their well-being
2. showing kindness and generosity with a sincere intention to benefit others and promote their welfare
3. displaying a charitable and sympathetic nature motivated by genuine concern for the happiness and good fortune of those around you

Etymology: Benevolent is a compound of two Latin parts: "bene," meaning "well," and "volens," the present participle of "velle," "to wish." Literally, a benevolent person is one who wishes well for others. Latin speakers used the word in that plain sense, and it passed through Old French into English, where it replaced an Old English word with almost the same meaning. That Old English word was "welwillende," built from "wel" ("well") and "willende" ("willing" or "wishing"). It was a near-perfect translation of the Latin, so English already had a native way of expressing the idea before the borrowing arrived. The Latin-derived form won out, and it has stayed the standard word for kindness that goes beyond simple good nature to active generosity.

Synonyms: kind, generous, charitable, compassionate, altruistic

Antonyms: malevolent, selfish, cruel, unkind, miserly