generous actions or donations to aid people who are poor, ill, or needy.
to devote one's life to charity.
something given to a person or persons in need; alms.
She asked for work, not charity.
a charitable act or work.
a charitable fund, foundation, or institution.
He left his estate to a charity.
benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor.
She looked so hungry that we fed her out of charity.
leniency in judging others; forbearance.
She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.
Christian love; agape.
the giving of help, money, food, etc, to those in need
( as modifier )
a charity show
an institution or organization set up to provide help, money, etc, to those in need
( as modifier )
charity funds
the help, money, etc, given to the needy; alms
a kindly and lenient attitude towards people
love of one's fellow men
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; see cherish, Kama, caress; see also -ity
Charity is the donation of something, like money, to a cause or person in need. Before offering charity to someone, make sure he is, in fact, needy, and not just some fashion fiend dressed like a homeless person! Charity comes in many forms including monetary donation, volunteering, or providing clothes and food for those less fortunate. The Greek poet Homer said, “The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.” Think of charity, then, as something that may cost you a little, but can benefit someone else greatly. Charity also refers to a nice way to treat people, an organization that helps people, or a plant with blue and white flowers.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Pulte connection to McLeod is a charity called Angels’ Place.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
The charity urged a cap on CEO pay and dividend payments to tackle the injustice.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
The charity is hopeful in the future the treatment will become available to even more prostate cancer patients.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
FuelFest has raised about $1 million for Reach Out Worldwide since the charity resumed in 2024, more than a decade after Paul Walker’s death paused the group’s work.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
“I hate being a charity case,” I grumble.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
