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wel·fare
 welfare
- pronunciation:
- wel
feIr
- phrases:
- on welfare
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a state of health, happiness, and good fortune; well-being.
A good government is concerned with the welfare of its citizens.The ship provided almost solely for the welfare of the first-class passengers.
- synonyms:
- good, well-being
- similar words:
- advantage, affluence, benefit, comfort, felicity, fortune, happiness, health, interest, profit, prosperity, success, weal
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| definition 2: |
public or private aid to needy people.
Welfare helped her family get through a tough time.- synonyms:
- assistance, charity, social welfare
- similar words:
- aid, alms, compensation, dole, relief, social security, unemployment
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| related words: |
alms, charity, ease |
| phrase: |
on welfare |
The word welfare comes from two Old English words that mean "get along" and "well." These same Old English words form the word "farewell."
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