The welfare of a person or group is their health, comfort, and happiness.
I do not think he is considering Emma's welfare.
He was the head of a charity for the welfare of children. [+ of]
Synonyms: wellbeing, good, interest, health More Synonyms of welfare
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Welfare services are provided to help with people's living conditions and financial problems.
Child welfare services are well established and comprehensive.
He has urged complete reform of the welfare system.
3. uncountable noun
In the United States, welfare is money that is paid by the government to people who are unemployed, poor, or sick.
States are making deep cuts in welfare.
More Synonyms of welfare
welfare in British English
(ˈwɛlˌfɛə)
noun
1.
health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general
2.
a.
financial and other assistance given to people in need
b.
(as modifier)
welfare services
3. Also called: welfare work
plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups
4. the welfare
5. on welfare
Word origin
C14: from the phrase wel fare; related to Old Norse velferth, German Wohlfahrt; see well1, fare
welfare in American English
(ˈwɛlˌfɛr)
noun
1.
the state of being or doing well; condition of health, happiness, and comfort; well-being; prosperity
2.
a.
the organized efforts of government agencies that grant aid to the poor, the unemployed, etc.
b.
such aid
3.
welfare work
Idioms:
on welfare
Word origin
ME < wel faren, to fare well: see well2 & fare
Examples of 'welfare' in a sentence
welfare
The architect of welfare reforms announced yesterday that he was retiring from the government.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In recent years legal battles with animal welfare groups have plagued the circus.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The former banker was hired by Labour to look at welfare reform and the use of sanctions in the benefits system.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Crucially, too, it puts people out of work and into the welfare system.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The personal social services existed to promote the welfare of different groups of people with special needs.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
It is also a fiction that the welfare system helps people.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is thought that they are now receiving government welfare.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Very few people can provide the necessary resources to meet their welfare needs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Our commitment to reforming the welfare system and making work pay is unwavering.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The approach was welcomed by animal welfare groups.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Their welfare and needs become of paramount importance.
Turner, Janine Behind Closed Doors - advice for families with violence in the home (1988)
But he said that tackling the issue should be linked to welfare reform.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They have four sons and should put their happiness and welfare first.
The Sun (2006)
And it is this protection that makes things so hard in areas such as local government and welfare.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We are streamlining the welfare to work system to make it easier to get off benefits and into employment.
The Sun (2012)
Companies will also have to change their payroll systems so that welfare payments can be adjusted in real time.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Our charity is devoted to the welfare and comfort of kidney dialysis patients at our local hospital and is run entirely by volunteers.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We must of course look after ourselves, our personal health and our welfare.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The eurozone faces profound financial, welfare and demographic challenges.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There's harmony in the church when people place the welfare of others ahead of their own.
Christianity Today (2000)
The medical officer, occupational health nurse and welfare officer all have a contribution to make here.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
He could split the duties, rather than have a single individual responsible for welfare and financial matters.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And the charity said proposed welfare cuts would leave some unable to work worse off by 30 a week.
The Sun (2015)
He meant would I oversee her general welfare.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Some general welfare facilities may be provided by schools such as school meals, milk in infant schools, and special transport facilities.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
In other languages
welfare
British English: welfare NOUN
The welfare of a person or group is their health, comfort, and happiness.
I do not think he is considering her welfare.
American English: welfare
Brazilian Portuguese: bem-estar
Chinese: 健康
European Spanish: bienestar
French: bien-être
German: Wohlergehen
Italian: benessere
Japanese: 健康と幸福感
Korean: 복리
European Portuguese: bem-estar
Latin American Spanish: bienestar
All related terms of 'welfare'
on welfare
in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source
the welfare
the public agencies involved with giving such assistance
child welfare
social work and services aimed at insuring the welfare of children
welfare check
a social security payment
welfare fund
a fund set up by a union or employer , providing benefits to workers during a period of unemployment or disablement, as salary continuance while ill
welfare hotel
accommodation provided for people who are on welfare
welfare state
In Britain and some other countries, the welfare state is a system in which the government provides free social services such as health and education and gives money to people when they are unable to work, for example because they are old, unemployed , or sick .
welfare work
the provision of help and advice to people in need
animal welfare
the protection of the health and well-being of animals
public welfare
state aid for poor people
social welfare
the various social services provided by a state for the benefit of its citizens
welfare centre
a place where people or animals receive assistance
welfare mother
a mother who is dependent on welfare
welfare officer
a person who gives people help and advice
welfare rights
legal entitlements to financial and other benefits
welfare worker
a person who is employed to give help and advice to people in need
corporate welfare
financial assistance , as tax breaks or subsidies , given by the government esp. to large companies
welfare benefits
financial assistance ; social security payment
welfare economics
the aspects of economic theory concerned with the welfare of society and priorities to be observed in the allocation of resources
welfare payments
social security payments ; financial assistance
welfare revolution
A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area.
welfare services
services that provide help with people's living conditions and financial problems
infant welfare clinic
a medical facility that specializes in the health and well-being of young babies
animal welfare charity
A charity is an organization which raises money in order to help people who are sick or very poor, or who have a disability .
school welfare officer
(in Britain) a local education authority worker whose job it is to find out whether difficulties outside school are contributing to a child's classroom problems or irregular attendance and who may intervene to help the child to benefit more from schooling
Educational Welfare Officer
(in Britain) a local education authority worker whose job it is to find out whether difficulties outside school are contributing to a child's classroom problems or irregular attendance and who may intervene to help the child to benefit more from schooling
Education Welfare Officer
(in Britain) a local education authority worker whose job it is to find out whether difficulties outside school are contributing to a child's classroom problems or irregular attendance and who may intervene to help the child to benefit more from schooling
EWO
Educational Welfare Officer
school attendance officer
(in Britain) a local education authority worker whose job it is to find out whether difficulties outside school are contributing to a child's classroom problems or irregular attendance and who may intervene to help the child to benefit more from schooling
truancy officer
(in Britain) a local education authority worker whose job it is to find out whether difficulties outside school are contributing to a child's classroom problems or irregular attendance and who may intervene to help the child to benefit more from schooling
Chinese translation of 'welfare'
welfare
(ˈwɛlfɛəʳ)
n(u)
(= well-being) 幸福 (xìngfú)
(US, = social aid) 福利救济(濟) (fúlì jiùjì)
英 = social security
cpd
[system, services]福利的 (fúlì de)
1 (noun)
Definition
health, happiness, prosperity, and general wellbeing
Above all we must consider the welfare of the children.
Synonyms
wellbeing
good
I'm only doing all this for your own good.
interest
Did the Directors act in the best interests of their club?
health
In hospital they nursed me back to health.
security
He loves the security of a happy home life.
benefit
I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
success
Nearly all of them believed work was the key to success.
profit
They saw little profit in risking their lives to capture the militants.
safety
The report makes recommendations to improve safety on aircraft.
protection
The primary duty of parents is the protection of their children.
fortune
comfort
She had enough money to live in comfort for the rest of her life.
happiness
I think she was looking for happiness.
prosperity
a life of peace and prosperity
prosperousness
2 (noun)
Definition
financial and other assistance given, usually by the government, to people in need
proposed cuts in welfare
Synonyms
state benefit
support
benefits
pensions
dole (slang)
social security
unemployment benefit
state benefits
Jobseeker's Allowance
JSA
pogey (Canadian)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of benefit
Definition
a payment made by an institution or government to a person who is ill, unemployed, etc.
I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
Synonyms
good,
use,
help,
profit,
gain,
advantage,
favour,
reward,
utility,
merit,
boon,
mileage (informal),
avail
in the sense of comfort
Definition
a state of physical ease or well-being
She had enough money to live in comfort for the rest of her life.
Synonyms
ease,
luxury,
wellbeing,
opulence
in the sense of good
Definition
advantage or benefit
I'm only doing all this for your own good.
Synonyms
benefit,
interest,
gain,
advantage,
use,
service,
profit,
welfare,
behalf,
avail,
usefulness,
wellbeing
Synonyms of 'welfare'
welfare
Explore 'welfare' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of happiness
I think she was looking for happiness.
Synonyms
pleasure,
delight,
joy,
cheer,
satisfaction,
prosperity,
ecstasy,
enjoyment,
bliss,
felicity,
exuberance,
contentment,
wellbeing,
high spirits,
elation,
gaiety (old-fashioned),
jubilation,
merriment,
cheerfulness,
gladness,
beatitude,
cheeriness,
blessedness,
light-heartedness
in the sense of health
Definition
the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease
In hospital they nursed me back to health.
Synonyms
wellbeing,
strength,
fitness,
vigour,
good condition,
wellness,
soundness,
robustness,
healthiness,
salubrity,
haleness
in the sense of interest
Definition
advantage
Did the Directors act in the best interests of their club?
Synonyms
advantage,
good,
benefit,
profit,
gain,
boot (dialect)
in the sense of pogey
Definition
financial or other relief given to unemployed people by the government
Synonyms
benefits,
the dole (British, Australian),
welfare,
social security,
unemployment benefit,
state benefit,
allowance,
public assistance,
government benefit,
Jobseeker's Allowance,
JSA
in the sense of profit
Definition
a benefit or advantage
They saw little profit in risking their lives to capture the militants.
Synonyms
benefit,
good,
use,
interest,
value,
gain,
advantage,
advancement,
mileage (informal),
avail
in the sense of prosperity
Definition
success and wealth
a life of peace and prosperity
Synonyms
success,
riches,
plenty,
ease,
fortune,
wealth,
boom,
luxury,
well-being,
good times,
good fortune,
the good life,
affluence,
top dollar (informal),
life of luxury,
life of Riley (informal),
prosperousness
in the sense of protection
Definition
the act of protecting or the condition of being protected
The primary duty of parents is the protection of their children.
Synonyms
safety,
charge,
care,
defence,
protecting,
security,
guarding,
custody,
safeguard,
preservation,
aegis,
guardianship,
safekeeping
in the sense of safety
Definition
the quality or state of being free from danger
The report makes recommendations to improve safety on aircraft.
Synonyms
security,
protection,
safeguards,
assurance,
precautions,
immunity,
safety measures,
impregnability
in the sense of security
Definition
the state of being free from danger, damage, or worry
He loves the security of a happy home life.
Synonyms
assurance,
confidence,
safety,
comfort,
conviction,
happiness,
certainty,
reliance,
peace of mind,
sureness,
positiveness,
ease of mind,
freedom from doubt,
absence of worry
in the sense of success
Definition
the attainment of wealth, fame, or position
Nearly all of them believed work was the key to success.