What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
benevolent
Example
The benevolent old man always donates money to charity. [benevolent: adjective]
Example
The company's benevolent foundation provides scholarships to underprivileged students. [benevolent: noun]
generous
Example
She is always generous with her time and helps anyone who asks for assistance. [generous: adjective]
Example
The generous donation from the community helped rebuild the local school. [generous: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Generous is more commonly used than benevolent in everyday language. Generous is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe acts of giving or sharing. On the other hand, benevolent is less common and tends to be used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between benevolent and generous?
While generous is commonly used in informal and everyday language, benevolent is more formal and often used in professional or official settings.