benevolence

UK: /bɪˈnɛvələns/ US: /bəˈnɛvələns/ ,(bə nev′ə ləns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

be•nev•o•lence /bəˈnɛvələns/   n. 

1. desire to do good:
   [uncountable] praised for her benevolence.
2. an act of kindness;
   charitable gift:
   [countable] His benevolences made it possible for many poor children to attend good schools.

See -bene-, -vol-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

be•nev•o•lence  (bə nev′ə ləns), n. 

1. desire to do good to others;
   goodwill;
   charitableness:
   to be filled with benevolence toward one's fellow creatures.
2. an act of kindness;
   a charitable gift.
3. World History [Eng. Hist.] a forced contribution to the sovereign.

• Latin benevolentia. See benevolent, -ence
• Middle English 1350–1400

Antonyms

• 1. malevolence.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

benevolence / bɪˈnɛvələns/ noun

1. Also: benevolentness inclination or tendency to help or do good to others; charity
2. an act of kindness