welfare
welfare — noun
1. Money, food, housing, or other basic support that the government gives to people
Money, food, housing, or other basic support that the government gives to people who cannot earn enough to live on.
After losing his factory job, Kabir applied for welfare to support his young children.
collocation: applied for welfare
The government increased welfare spending during the recession to help struggling families.
collocation: welfare spending
Many elderly people depend on welfare payments to buy their medicine and food each month.
Nonprofit groups work with state welfare programs to provide free meals for schoolchildren.
Lotte works at a center that helps families navigate the welfare system.
- benefits
more common in British English; often refers to regular cash payments
- assistance
broader term that includes non-monetary help such as food or housing support
- public aid
more formal and less common in everyday speech
- social security
specifically retirement and disability benefits in some systems; not a perfect synonym
文法句型
on welfare
welfare + noun
welfare (as subject/object)
用法筆記
Often used before nouns like 'system', 'program', or 'benefits'. In the US, 'welfare' commonly refers to specific assistance programs such as SNAP or TANF; in the UK, it more broadly refers to the state benefits system.
常見錯誤
2. The condition of depending on government payments when you have little or no inc
The condition of depending on government payments when you have little or no income and cannot support yourself.
Sumin's family went on welfare after the factory where her parents worked shut down.
phrase: went on welfare
Tuan has been on welfare for six months while he recovers from a back injury.
phrase: been on welfare
The number of families on welfare dropped sharply after the new training program started.
Being on welfare allowed Chidi to finish his degree without worrying about rent or food.
Adina grew up in a welfare-dependent household during the 1990s recession.
- on benefits
more common in British English; 'benefits' is a broader term
- on public assistance
more formal and official in tone
- on the dole
informal British term, specifically for unemployment benefits
- off welfare
describes the state of no longer receiving this support
- self-supporting
opposite situation of needing government aid
文法句型
on welfare
be on welfare
go on welfare
live on welfare
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'on welfare'. Commonly follows verbs like 'be' ('be on welfare'), 'go' ('go on welfare'), or 'live' ('live on welfare'). 'Off welfare' describes the state of no longer needing this support.
常見錯誤
3. The condition of being healthy, happy, and safe — the overall quality of a perso
The condition of being healthy, happy, and safe — the overall quality of a person's, animal's, or group's life.
The school pays close attention to the emotional welfare of students who have experienced trauma.
collocation: emotional welfare
Hamza's employer runs programs that support the mental and physical welfare of all workers.
Animal welfare groups rescue abandoned pets and find them safe homes with caring families.
A doctor visited Jisoo at home to check on her welfare after surgery.
Parental welfare is just as important as children's welfare when social workers assess a family.
- well-being
more common in everyday language; less formal than 'welfare' for this sense
- health
narrower, focusing on physical/mental condition rather than overall happiness
- happiness
focuses on emotional state, not physical health or safety
- prosperity
includes financial success, which 'welfare' (sense 3) does not necessarily imply
文法句型
welfare of + [noun phrase]
[noun] + welfare
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'of' to specify whose well-being is meant. Frequently appears in compound forms like 'child welfare', 'animal welfare', 'employee welfare', and 'public welfare'. This sense is broader than government aid and focuses on health and happiness rather than money.
常見錯誤
welfare — adjective
1. Relating to the system of providing money and services to people in need, or aim
Relating to the system of providing money and services to people in need, or aimed at improving living conditions for disadvantaged groups.
Felipe works for a welfare agency that helps homeless families find stable housing.
collocation: welfare agency
The prime minister announced new welfare reforms designed to help people return to work.
collocation: welfare reforms
Welfare spending has risen by twelve percent over the past three financial years.
The welfare state was built after the war to protect citizens from poverty and illness.
- social
broader term; 'social policy' includes but is not limited to welfare
- benefits-related
more specific to cash payments rather than the broader system
- public-assistance
more formal and official; used in US government contexts
文法句型
welfare + noun
用法筆記
Always used before a noun. Common in formal and official contexts such as government reports, policy discussions, and academic writing.
2. Describing a person who receives regular financial help from the government beca
Describing a person who receives regular financial help from the government because they are poor, unemployed, or unable to work.
The clinic offers free checkups for welfare recipients who cannot afford health insurance.
collocation: welfare recipients
Abigail, a welfare mother, is studying nursing while raising her daughter.
The welfare office processes applications from thousands of families every single month.
Esme found a job through a program created for welfare recipients.
- on benefits
more common in British English; less potentially stigmatizing
- indigent
formal and more general; does not specifically refer to welfare receipt
文法句型
welfare + noun (person)
用法筆記
Used before nouns that refer to people ('welfare recipient', 'welfare mother', 'welfare family'). Some consider terms like 'welfare mother' potentially stigmatizing; 'welfare recipient' is the more neutral, official term.