noun

welfare

welfare, well-being, social security

We are concerned for the child's welfare.

We are concerned for the child's welfare.

The government provides welfare for the unemployed.

The government provides welfare for the unemployed.

((sb.'s)) welfare (the health and happiness of sb.) The school is responsible for the students' welfare.

on welfare (receiving financial support from the state) Many families are on welfare.

Synonyms: well-being, health, prosperity, social security

From Middle English 'wel fare', literally 'a state of faring well'. It combines 'well' and 'fare' (to travel, get on).

Think of 'faring well' – doing well in life. Government welfare helps people to 'fare well'.

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