charity

¹ American  

[char-i-tee] / ˈtʃær ɪ ti /

noun

plural

charities

1. generous actions or donations to aid people who are poor, ill, or needy.

   to devote one's life to charity.

2. something given to a person or persons in need; alms.

   She asked for work, not charity.

3. a charitable act or work.

4. a charitable fund, foundation, or institution.

   He left his estate to a charity.

5. benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor.

   She looked so hungry that we fed her out of charity.

   Synonyms:

   aid, philanthropy, altruism, almsgiving, quarter, mercy, indulgence, lenity, leniency, clemency, sympathy, pity, benignity, humanity, goodwill, compassion, kindness, kindliness, benevolence, donation, dole, contribution, beneficence, benefaction

   Antonyms:

   malevolence

6. leniency in judging others; forbearance.

   She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.

7. Christian love; agape.

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Charity ² American  

[char-i-tee] / ˈtʃær ɪ ti /

noun

1. a female given name.

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charity British  

/ ˈtʃærɪtɪ /

noun

1. 1. the giving of help, money, food, etc, to those in need

   2. ( as modifier )

      a charity show

2. 1. an institution or organization set up to provide help, money, etc, to those in need

   2. ( as modifier )

      charity funds

3. the help, money, etc, given to the needy; alms

4. a kindly and lenient attitude towards people

5. love of one's fellow men

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Other Word Forms

• charityless adjective
• overcharity noun
• procharity adjective

Etymology

Origin of charity

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English charite, from Old French charite, cherite, from Latin cāritāt- (stem of cāritās “high price, costliness, dearness, affection, esteem”), equivalent to cār(us) “costly, dear” + -itāt- noun suffix; cherish, Kama, caress; -ity

Example Sentences

According to the charity, each bag of food includes fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled items for the fridge, and cupboard supplies such as pasta and cereal.

From BBC

As children across the country ditch school uniform for the day to raise money for Comic Relief, one Greater Manchester charity that has helped thousands of families with recycled uniforms will be receiving funding.

From BBC

But she has been plagued by her own Epstein controversies - which led to her being dropped by multiple charities last September.

From BBC

Rob Deeks, the chief executive of Slough-based youth charity Together As One, said the town currently does not serve its young population well.

From BBC

Sir Chris was speaking as registration opened for this year's Tour de 4, a cycling event he started to change perspectives on stage four cancer and raise money for cancer charities.

From BBC

Related Words

• donation
• endowment
• fund
• philanthropy