behalf
behalf Lexical Profile
behalf Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The role or authority of an official representative, agent, or spokesperson acting for another person or organization (used in the phrase "on behalf of").
"The attorney signed the settlement agreement on behalf of her client."
The interest, benefit, support, or defense of a person or group (used in prepositional phrases such as "on behalf of" or "in behalf of").
"The charity organized a concert to raise funds on behalf of displaced families."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Behalf" is almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrases "on behalf of" or "in behalf of". In careful usage, "on behalf of" means as a representative or agent of someone, whereas "in behalf of" (chiefly American) means for the benefit or interest of someone, though "on behalf of" is now widely used for both senses.
• Rhymes for behalf
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English "behalve", formed as a blend of earlier "bi halve" (by the side of) and "on halve" (on the side of), from Old English "be" (by) and "healf" (side, part, or half).