beneficence

/bəˈnɛfɪsəns/

Other forms: beneficences

If you show someone kindness or generosity, that's beneficence like when you shovel a neighbor's sidewalk or mow their lawn just to help out, no strings attached.

Beneficence comes from the Latin word benefactum, meaning "good deed." That's exactly what beneficence is — helping someone just because you care, not because you want to be praised for being nice. Giving your time, skills, or even a donation of money or items shows beneficence. This word can also describe the character of a person who is helpful, caring, and compassionate.

Definitions of beneficence

1. noun

   the quality of being kind or helpful or generous
   antonyms:

   maleficence

   the quality or nature of being harmful or evil

   types:

   free grace, grace, grace of God

   (Christian theology) the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God

   type of:

   good, goodness

   moral excellence or admirableness
2. noun

   doing good; feeling beneficent
   antonyms:

   maleficence

   doing or causing evil

   type of:

   benevolence

   disposition to do good