noun · neutral

welfare

UK/ˈwelfeə/US/ˈwɛlfer/WEL·fare

Band 4-5task2speaking

government or public support to help people in need

Examples

The government increased welfare payments during the crisis.

Concerns about child welfare led to new rules in the city.

Some people argue that welfare encourages dependency, others disagree.

Band 8 sentence

Improving the welfare system requires balancing immediate financial aid with long-term measures that promote employment and education.

Collocations

  • welfare system
  • welfare payments
  • child welfare

Word family

welfare payments nounwelfare state nounwell-being noun

Common mistakes

She is on the welfare.She is on welfare.

They receive big welfare.They receive welfare benefits.

Say it for a higher band

5help6benefits7+welfare

Synonyms

benefits

support

Easily confused

benefits

She claimed benefits after losing her job.

well-being

Community programmes aim to improve people's well-being.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Society & Government

Learn it with its set