benign

/bɪˈnaɪn/

/bəˈnaɪn/

Other forms: benigner; benignest

Someone or something that is benign is gentle, kind, mild, or unharmful: a benign soul wouldn't hurt a fly.

Benign describes a range of qualities, all of them positive. When talking about a person, it means "gentle." In reference to weather or climate, it means "mild." In some other contexts, it simply means "not harmful" — you might speak of "a benign tumor" or "an environmentally benign chemical." The word comes from a Latin root benignus meaning "well born," but the implied meaning is "kind" or "pleasant" — it's hard to get mad at someone who has a benign disposition.

Definitions of benign

1. adjective

   kind in disposition or manner
   “the benign ruler of millions”

   “benign intentions”

   synonyms:

   kind

   having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
2. adjective

   pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence
   “a benign smile”

   “the benign sky”

   “the benign influence of pure air”

   synonyms: benignant

   kindly

   pleasant and agreeable

   harmless

   not causing or capable of causing harm

   kind

   having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

   antonyms:

   malign

   evil or harmful in nature or influence

   maleficent

   harmful or evil in intent or effect

   cancerous

   spreading or growing in an evil or unpleasant way

   harmful

   causing or capable of causing harm

   unkind

   lacking kindness
3. adjective

   not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)
   antonyms:

   malignant

   dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)

   cancerous

   relating to or affected with abnormal cell growth