charity

¹

[char-i-tee]

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.

Charity

²

[char-i-tee]

noun

1. a female given name.

charity

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• charityless adjective
• overcharity noun
• procharity adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of charity¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of charity¹

C13: from Old French charite, from Latin cāritās affection, love, from cārus dear

Example Sentences

Josie Allan is head of policy at Missing People, the UK's only charity dedicated to reconnecting missing people with their loved ones.

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Equal prize money is not charity - it is reward for performance.

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In recent months, that tolerance and charity has been on display at a hotel housing migrants in West Yorkshire.

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A spokesperson for the charity said: "Advice to visitors is the usual - leave only footprints."

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This is not a charity and there are no subscriptions – people pay their own way for days out or trips, and money in the pot goes towards events such as their forthcoming Christmas party.

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Related Words

• donation 
• endowment 
• fund 
• philanthropy