3 syllables: ben, e, fit. Stress on ben.
BEN-uh-fit
/ˈbɛnəfɪt/
benefit is pronounced BEN-uh-fit (/ˈbɛnəfɪt/). It has three syllables (ben-e-fit), with the stress on "ben". Benefit refers to a positive result or gain obtained from something, often outweighing costs or drawbacks. It can describe a monetary or practical advantage, as well as broader improvements in well-being or effectiveness. As a verb, to benefit means to be advantageous or helpful to someone or something.
Benefit refers to a positive result or gain obtained from something, often outweighing costs or drawbacks. It can describe a monetary or practical advantage, as well as broader improvements in well-being or effectiveness. As a verb, to benefit means to be advantageous or helpful to someone or something.
- You might soft-emphasize the first syllable or misplace the stress on the second syllable (buh-NI-fit). Focus on keeping strong, clear initial stress: /ˈbenɪfɪt/. - Some learners merge the middle /ɪ/ with a schwa or say /ˈbenəfɪt/. Aim for a crisp /ɪ/ in the second syllable. - Finally, the final /t/ is often devoiced or unreleased; practice with a forceful release and a brief breath after the /t/ to preserve clarity.
"Getting a scholarship was a major benefit of applying early."
"Regular exercise benefits your heart health and energy levels."
"The new policy will benefit small businesses and consumers alike."
Pronounce it as /ˈbenɪfɪt/ in most varieties. The stress is on the first syllable: BEN-i-fit. The middle vowel is a short i /ɪ/ and the final t is voiceless. A typical pronunciation sequence is /b/ + /ˈe/ (as in 'bet') + /n/ + /ɪ/ + /f/ + /ɪ/ + /t/. Practice by saying BEN-ih-fit with a quick, crisp final /t/. Audio references: you can compare with Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries for native examples.
Two common mistakes: (1) placing the stress on the second syllable (buh-NE-fit) instead of the first. Correct by practicing the strong first-syllable emphasis: BEN-i-fit. (2) Eliding the middle /ɪ/ into a schwa or reducing the final /t/ to a tapped or silent consonant. Keep a clear /ɪ/ in the second syllable and finish with a crisp /t/. Use minimal pairs BEN-ɪ-fɪt vs buh-NI-fit to train the rhythm.
In US and UK, the noun is typically /ˈbenɪfɪt/ with strong initial stress. The /ɪ/ in the second syllable remains short. Australian English tends to have a slightly more centralized /ɪ/ and may exhibit a broader /ɛ/ in the first syllable depending on speaker. The rhoticity is the same in all three: /r/ is not pronounced in non-rhotic British variants, while US pronounces /r/ only before vowels. Overall, the core rhyme BEN-ɪ-fɪt remains, with subtle vowel quality shifts.
The difficulty lies in maintaining strong initial stress with a clear, short /ɪ/ in the middle and a precise final /t/. Many speakers run the vowels together, producing a reduced middle vowel or devoicing the final /t/. Keeping the middle /ɪ/ crisp and landing the /t/ with a light yet audible release helps. Also, non-native speakers may unconsciously de-stress the second syllable, weakening the rhythm.
A unique aspect is the distinct triplet of consonants at the end: /n/ + /ɪ/ + /f/ + /ɪ/ + /t/. The /n/ and /f/ juncture often resists linking, so you should separate syllables clearly: BEN-i-fit. Practicing with a short pause between syllables can help you maintain clarity, especially in rapid speech.
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The word benefit comes from the Latin benefitium, later borrowed into Old English as benefite, with the sense of a favorable outcome or advantage. The Latin bene- means good, well, and facere means to do or make, so benefitium literally means a
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "benefit" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "benefit" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "benefit" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "benefit"
-bit sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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