Set 22 · Study 1 / 5

Exit

benign

adjective/bəˈnaɪn/

definition

not dangerous, not posing a threat

example

Most of the bacteria that live in the human organism are not only benign but even beneficial to one's health.

synonyms
harmlessinnocent
word origin — Middle English: from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, probably from bene ‘well’ + -genus ‘-born’. Compare with gentle

Advanced — Set 22

Set 22 of Advanced covers 5 words: benign, former, inferior, superior, persuasive. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. benign · adjective/bəˈnaɪn/

    not dangerous, not posing a threat

    Most of the bacteria that live in the human organism are not only benign but even beneficial to one's health.

    Synonyms: harmless, innocent

    Origin: Middle English: from Old French benigne, from Latin benignus, probably from bene ‘well’ + -genus ‘-born’. Compare with gentle

  2. former · adjective/ˈfɔrmər/

    belonging to some prior time

    The high school organized a reunion at a hotel venue for former students and teachers.

    Synonyms: old, previous

    Origin: Middle English: from Old English forma (see foremost) + -er

  3. inferior · adjective/ɪnˈfɪriər/

    of lower rank or quality

    John has been working at the company the longest and considered his coworkers inferior to him, even though many of them were better qualified.

    Synonyms: second-rate, substandard, deficient

    Origin: late Middle English (in inferior (sense 2 of the adjective)): from Latin, comparative of inferus ‘low’

  4. superior · adjective/səˈpɪriər/

    of higher rank or quality

    He considers himself superior to his classmates and constantly boasts about all the prizes he has won.

    Synonyms: higher-ranking, finer, better, supreme

    Origin: late Middle English: from Old French superiour, from Latin superior, comparative of superus ‘that is above’, from super ‘above’

  5. persuasive · adjective/pərˈsweɪsɪv/

    having the power to make others believe something; able to persuade

    The new director made some very persuasive arguments about the environmental impact of the proposal and compelled several executives to reconsider their construction plans.

    Synonyms: convincing, compelling

    Origin: late 15th century: from French persuasif, -ive or medieval Latin persuasivus, from persuas- ‘convinced by reasoning’, from the verb persuadere (see persuade)