Definition
Benign means harmless, and often kindly with it. A benign climate does you no harm; a benign ruler governs gently; a benign smile reassures. In medicine the word has a precise, high-stakes sense — a benign tumour is one that will not spread or turn deadly, the word every patient hopes to hear. Across all its uses the core is the same: something that could have been threatening turns out to do no damage. Its opposite, malignant, is the harm that does spread.
Examples
- The biopsy was a relief: the growth was benign and showed no tendency to proliferate.
- What the villagers had feared as a curse proved entirely benign, and the panic soon began to abate.
- Under his benign supervision, even nervous beginners felt safe enough to experiment.
Collocations
a benign tumour·a benign climate·benign neglect·a benign influence·relatively benign
Synonyms
harmless·gentle·mild·innocuous·kindly
Antonyms
malignant·harmful·hostile
Word family
benignly (adverb)·benignity (noun)
In TOEFL & IELTS
Two registers to keep straight. In TOEFL science and biology passages it is technical ('benign vs malignant'). In general English it means harmless or kindly. The phrase 'benign neglect' (leaving something alone, to good effect) is a sophisticated touch in Writing. Pronounce it /bɪˈnaɪn/ — the g is silent. Don't confuse it with benevolent, which is about active goodwill rather than mere harmlessness.