BENIGN Definition & Meaning

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benign

[bih-nahyn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

Pathology.��not malignant; self-limiting.
a benign brain tumor.
having no harmful influence or effect.
ecologically benign and sustainable building materials.
having a kindly disposition; gracious.
a benign king.
Synonyms: , , , , , , ,
showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness.
a benign smile.
favorable; propitious.
a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.
Antonyms:
(of weather) pleasant or beneficial; salubrious; healthful.

benign

/ ��ɪˈ�Բ�ɪ�� /

adjective

showing kindliness; genial
(of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
favourable; propitious
pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant

benign

Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant.
Compare malignant

benign

A descriptive term for conditions that present no danger to life or well-being. Benign is the opposite of malignant.

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The term benign is used when describing tumors or growths that do not threaten the health of an individual.

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

benignly adverb
superbenign adjective
unbenign adjective
��ˈ�Ծ��Ա�� adverb

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of benign¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English benigne, from Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine), from Latin benignus “kind, generous,” equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus “good” ( bene- ) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere “to beget” ( genitor, genus ), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; malign

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of benign¹

C14: from Old French benigne , from Latin benignus , from bene well + gignere to produce

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It turned out the tumour between his eye socket and brain was a cholesterol granuloma, which is a type of benign cyst.

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Others are totally benign, just hanging out inside or on-side us without doing any harm.

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While there are several benign prostate treatments available, this treatment particularly helps men experiencing urinary problems due to an enlarged prostate.

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There were times when the pace bowlers struggled, albeit in benign conditions.

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“These are not benign drugs. They have potential for benefit and harm. You gotta weigh out those risks.”

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Related 51�Թ�s

benevolent��
favorable��
friendly��
gentle��
mild��

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When To Use

What’s the difference between benign and malignant?

In a medical context, the word benign is used to describe masses or tumors that are not cancerous—those that do not spread disease to other parts of the body. The word malignant is the opposite—it’s used to describe harmful masses or tumors that are cancerous and that grow and spread disease.Both words are sometimes also used in general ways. Benign can mean kind, favorable, or gracious, while malignant can mean harmful or intended or intending to cause harm.The best clue to help remember their meanings is the prefix mal-, which means “bad” and shows up in a lot of other negative words, such as malfunction, malpractice, malicious, and maleficent.Here’s an example of benign and malignant used correctly in the same sentence.Example: She was afraid the lump was a malignant tumor, but it turned out to be a benign cyst—totally harmless.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between benign and malignant.

benighted benignant

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