benevolentbe‧nev‧o‧lent /bəˈnevələnt/ adjective 
Word Origin
A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons. a benevolent smile► see thesaurus at kind—benevolence noun [uncountable]—benevolently adverb
Word OriginWORD ORIGINbenevolent
ExamplesOrigin:
1400-1500 Latin bene ‘well’ + volens (present participle of velle ‘to wish’)EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- a benevolent, kindly man
- money for benevolent work
- Arthur Jaffe was not a benevolent man at the best of times.
- Deep down inside, you see, I still believed that life was basically benevolent.
- Despite the fear abductees have experienced, the Greys are benevolent, Brown said.
- He smiled in a benevolent sort of way when he said this.
- Instead of yelling, try a benevolent silence.
- The integration of state and society favoured a benevolent and expansive concept of the role of the state.
- Work / family programs are typically benevolent in intent but difficult to justify in business terms.
THESAURUS► kind
Collocations someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them: · They were very kind to us and let us stay in their house as long as we liked.· a kind old lady· a kind thing to say
► nice especially spoken friendly and kind. Nice is very common in everyday spoken English and is often used instead of kind: · Everyone has been so nice to me.· It’s nice of you to invite me here.· He seems such a nice man.
► generous kind because you give people money, presents etc: · ‘I’ll pay for the meal.’ ‘That’s very generous of you.’· a generous gift
► considerate thinking about other people’s feelings, and careful not to do anything that will upset them: · Our neighbours are very considerate and always keep their TV turned down.· a considerate driver· He’s always very polite and considerate to his guests.
► thoughtful thinking of things you can do to make other people happy or feel good – used especially when someone does something such as giving someone a present or helping someone: · It was thoughtful of you to send him a card.· Some thoughtful person had taken her bag to the lost property office.
► caring kind and wanting to help and look after people: · She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring husband.· The British are well-known for their caring attitude toward animals.
► sympathetic saying kind things to someone who has problems and behaving in a way that shows you care about them: · My boss was very sympathetic and said I should take some time off work.· She gave him a sympathetic smile.
► good kind and showing that you want to help – used especially in the following phrases: · It was good of you to come and see me.· She’s always been very good to us.
► sweet informal very kind – used especially when you like someone very much, or you are very pleased because of something they have done: · I was given the flowers by a sweet little old lady who lived next door.· It’s sweet of you to ask.· a sweet thing to say
► kind-hearted/warm-hearted especially written having a kind and friendly character, which makes other people like you: · He was a wonderful father, kind-hearted and always laughing.· The town is full of warm-hearted, helpful people.
► benevolent formal kind and wanting to help people – often used about someone who is important or who people respect: · a benevolent ruler· They believe in the existence of a benevolent God who will save mankind.· He listened politely, like some benevolent uncle.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a benevolent/charitable fund
kind and generous: (=for giving help to poor people)· He contributed the sum of £1,500 to the benevolent fund.
A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons. a benevolent smile► see thesaurus at kind—benevolence noun [uncountable]—benevolently adverb