English Vocabulary – Benefit

Hello, students!

I hope life is treating you well.

Today I want to teach you about a sometimes confusing word for English learners, ‘benefit’, and we will look at four of its main meanings.

Meaning 1

Extra money or advantages that you get in addition to your salary as part of your job.

Example:

In the US many employers offer workers private health insurance as part of the job benefits.

Meaning 2

The advantage you get from a situation.

Example:

There are several benefits to moving out of a big city: a friendlier atmosphere, less pollution and lower costs.

Meaning 3

We can also use benefit as a verb with this same meaning (to benefit from something).

Example:

People usually benefit from moving out of the city, for example, they pay less rent.

Meaning 4

Government money for people who are unemployed or who need extra financial help.

Example:

My best friend’s husband recently lost his job. Now he needs to claim unemployment benefits.