From Latin beneficiarius from beneficium ("benefit"), perhaps via or influenced by French bénéficiaire.

• (British) IPA: /ˌbɛn.ɪˈfɪʃ.əɹ.i/, /ˌbɛn.əˈfɪʃ.əɹ.i/
• (America) IPA: /ˌbɛn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ɚ.i/, /bɛn.əˈfɪʃ.iˌɚ.i/

beneficiary (plural beneficiaries)

1. One who benefits or receives an advantage.

   You are the lucky beneficiary of this special offer.

2. (especially, trust law) One who benefits from the distribution, especially out of a trust or estate.

   If any beneficiary does not survive the settlor for a period of 30 days then the trustee shall distribute that beneficiary’s share to the surviving beneficiaries by right of representation.

3. (insurance) One who benefits from the payout of an insurance policy.

• maleficiary

• benefactor (near antonym)
• benefactress (near antonym)

• French: bénéficiaire
• German: Begünstigter, Nutznießer, Nutzenzieher, Vorteilsnehmer
• Italian: beneficiario, beneficiaria
• Russian: выгодоприобрета́тель
• Spanish: beneficiario, beneficiaria

• French: bénéficiaire
• German: Nutznießer, Nutznießerin
• Portuguese: beneficiário, beneficiado
• Russian: бенефициа́р
• Spanish: beneficiario

beneficiary (not comparable)

1. Holding some office or valuable possession, in subordination to another; holding under a feudal or other superior; having a dependent and secondary possession.
   • a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a VVarre vvith Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany VVorks of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. […], London: […] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, […], published 1629, →OCLC ↗:

     a feudatory or beneficiary king of England

2. Bestowed as a gratuity.

   beneficiary gifts