welfare

[wel-fair]

noun

1. the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being.

   to look after a child's welfare; the physical or moral welfare of society.

2. welfare work.

3. financial or other assistance to an individual or family from a city, state, or national government.

   Thousands of jobless people in this city would starve if it weren't for welfare.

4. (initial capital letter),  a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, especially those unable to work.

welfare

/ ˈwɛlˌfɛə /

noun

1. health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general

2. 1. financial and other assistance given to people in need

   2. ( as modifier )

      welfare services

3. Also called: welfare work. plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups

4. informal,  the public agencies involved with giving such assistance

5. in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source

welfare

1. Government-provided support for those unable to support themselves. In the United States, it is undertaken by various federal, state, and local agencies under the auspices of different programs, the best known of which are Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and food stamps.

Other Word Forms

• antiwelfare adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from phrase wel fare; equivalent to well ¹ + fare

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare¹

C14: from the phrase wel fare; related to Old Norse velferth, German Wohlfahrt; see _well ¹ , _fare

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on welfare, receiving financial aid from the government or from a private organization because of hardship and need.

Example Sentences

In his conference speech on Friday, Nigel Farage also pledged to cut welfare spending, but did not lay out any specifics about which benefits would be targeted and by how much,

From BBC

Baby changing facilities are available within the event area and will be situated in the toilet units and at the welfare tent.

From BBC

Known as "Robodebt", the scheme wrongly told welfare recipients they had been overpaid and demanded they repay these debts, which often never existed.

From BBC

Well, the chancellor did not rule out welfare cuts, even after the remarkable U-turn on disability benefits in July.

From BBC

After the recent U-turn on welfare cuts, the terms of reference for Work and Pensions Minister Stephen Timms' review of disability benefits is expected shortly.

From BBC

Related Words

• benefit 
• health 
• interest 
• progress 
• prosperity 
• weal 
• well-being