behalf

/bɪˈhæf/

behalf means the interest, benefit, or wellbeing of someone or something.

Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, behalf ranks #3,412 of 42,747 for Qualifying.

behalf is pronounced /bɪˈhæf/.

Etymology

From Middle English bihalve (“nearby”), from Old English bī healfe (“by [his/her] side”), from bī (“by”) + healfe (“side, half”), equivalent to be- + half.

noun

The interest, benefit, or wellbeing of someone or something.e.g.“She appeared on behalf of the U.N. Secretary General at a conference held in behalf of the world's children.”
One's role or rightful place; stead or authority.e.g.“He was not only my Representative who died on my behalf; He was my Substitute who died in my very stead.” — 1994, J. Sidlow Baxter, Awake, My Heart: Daily Devotional Studies for the Year, →ISBN, page 104:

Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

behalfism 72% match — A policy of doing things on behalf of others. vs behalf →
behoof 69% match — That which is advantageous to a person; behalf, interest, advantage, profit, benefit. vs behalf →
benefit 56% match — An advantage; help or aid from something. vs behalf →
benefactivity 56% match — The quality of being benefactive. vs behalf →
beneficial 56% match — Helpful or good to something or someone. vs behalf →
benefactive 55% match — Of or pertaining to the linguistic form or case or the semantic role of the beneficiary of an action. Expressed in English as "on behalf of", "in behalf of", "on one's behalf", or similar. vs behalf →
benefact 55% match — To benefit; to act as benefactor toward. vs behalf →
benefactory 55% match — Yielding benefit; doing good. vs behalf →