Benign

Pronunciation

• IPA: /bɪˈnaɪn/

Origin

From Old French benigne, from Latin benignus ("kind, good"), from bonus ("good") + genus ("origin, kind"). Compare malign.

Full definition of benign

Adjective

1. Kind; gentle; mild.
• (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
• not harmful to the environment: combination an ozone-benign refrigerant.
2. (medicine) Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

Antonyms

• malign
• malignant

Derived terms