benign
1 synonyms and 1 antonyms for benign, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Kind, gentle, and well-meaning.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use benign
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, combining bene ("well") and genus ("kind, sort") — literally "of good nature."
Full origin of benign →Frequently asked questions
What does “benign” mean?
The word “benign” means kind, gentle, and well-meaning. In plain terms, harmless and gentle — used for kindly people, mild situations, and, in medicine, non-cancerous growths.
How do you pronounce “benign”?
“Benign” is pronounced bih-NYN (/bɪˈnaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “benign” in a sentence?
Here is “benign” used in a sentence: “Her benign smile put the nervous students at ease.”
What is the opposite of “benign”?
The opposite of “benign” — its antonyms — is malign.
What part of speech is “benign”?
“Benign” is an adjective.
Where does the word “benign” come from?
The word “benign” comes from Latin. From Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, combining bene ("well") and genus ("kind, sort") — literally "of good nature.".
Is “benign” a common word?
“Benign” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “benign” have?
“Benign” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: kind, gentle, and well-meaning.