Welfare

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈwÉ›lËŒfɛə/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈwÉ›lËŒfɛɚ/

Origin

From Middle English welfare, probably from the Old English phrase wel faran ("to fare well, get along successfully, prosper") (cognate with Middle Low German wolvare ("welfare"), Old Norse velferð, Swedish välfärd and Dutch welvaart.) Equivalent to well + fare.

Full definition of welfare

Noun

1. (uncountable) Health, safety, happiness and prosperity; well-being in any respect.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 19, Nothing was too small to receive attention, if a supervising eye could suggest improvements likely to conduce to the common welfare. Mr. Gordon Burnage, for instance, personally visited dust-bins and back premises, accompanied by a sort of village bailiff, going his round like a commanding officer doing billets.
2. (uncountable, chiefly US) Various forms of financial aid provided by the government to those who are in need of it (abbreviated form of Welfare assistance).

Synonyms

• income support, public assistance, social security

Antonyms

• illfare
• wofare