What is the Latin word for beneficial?

The usual Latin words for “beneficial” are ūtilis, efficāx, salūtō; also salūber. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“beneficial” in Latin

ūtilisuseful, serviceable, beneficial, profitable, advantageous; helpful; fit, suitable, adapted, proper efficāxefficacious, effectual, powerful, efficient salūtōto preserve, keep safe; to greet, salute; to pay respects salūberhealthy, salubrious; salutary, beneficial; wholesome

The English word beneficial itself goes back to Latin beneficus, through beneficiālis.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

beneficial

utilis, efficax, salutaris, saluber. To be beneficial, utilem esse, usui esse, esse ex usu alicujus: esse ex re or in rem alicujus (of a thing): alicui prodesse (of persons and things): conducere alicui.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for beneficial?: The usual Latin words for “beneficial” are ūtilis, efficāx, salūtō; also salūber. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.