Definition of BENEFICIARY

beneficiary

Meanings

Plural: beneficiaries

Noun

  • the recipient of funds or other benefits
  • the semantic role of the intended recipient who benefits from the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
  • One who benefits or receives an advantage.
  • One who benefits from the distribution, especially out of a trust or estate.
  • One who benefits from the payout of an insurance policy.

Adjective

  • having or arising from a benefice
    • "a beneficiary baron"

Adj

  • Holding some office or valuable possession, in subordination to another; holding under a feudal or other superior; having a dependent and secondary possession.
  • Bestowed as a gratuity.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin beneficiarius (“enjoying a favor, granted a privilege”) from beneficium (“benefit”), perhaps via or influenced by French bénéficiaire (“beneficiary”). Indirectly, by way of the etymology of the Latin word beneficium, the English word beneficiary ultimately has the same origin as the English word benefactor, its near antonym.

Synonyms

benefactive role, donee

Antonyms

maleficiary

Scrabble Score: 21

beneficiary is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
beneficiary is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
beneficiary is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 23

beneficiary is a valid Words With Friends word