benign
adjCA, US, UK /bɪˈnaɪn/ · AU /bɪˈnɑen/
Etymology From Middle English benigne, benygne, from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus (“kind, good”), from bene (“well”) + genus (“origin, kind”). Compare malign.
1
Kind; gentle; mild.
- But though we both entertained these ideas, we differed in their application. Resentment added also a sting to my censure; and I reprobated Raymond's conduct in severe terms. Adrian was more benign, more considerate.1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter IX, in The Last Man. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC:
- I people my world with benign spirits. Everything talks to me and I respond to it.1982 December 18, Nancy Walker, “Doodle, Turkey and Pumpkin”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 22, page 6:
1 more example
- During it, [Ashley] Graham attempted to ask the actor [Hugh Grant] a series of benign questions, and he gave her very little to work with.2023 March 14, Iris Goldsztajn, “Was Hugh Grant Being Rude to Ashley Graham at the Oscars? The Internet Is Seriously Divided”, in Marie Claire:
2
Biology, Climatology, Ecology, Natural sciences Of a climate or environment, mild and favorable.
3
Biology, Ecology, Natural sciences In compounds Not harmful to the environment.
- an ozone-benign refrigerant
4
Medicine, Oncology, Sciences Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.
- a benign tumor
- Despite the gruesome way it looks, cottontail rabbit papillomavirus is often benign, and many rabbits end up fighting it off on their own.2025 August 14, Angela Haupt, “What to Know About the Horned ‘Zombie’ Rabbits Hopping Around Colorado”, in TIME, archived from the original on 17 Aug 2025:
- Antonyms
- malign