charity

¹

[ char-i-tee ]

noun

, plural char·i·ties.

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

   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 Words From

• chari·ty·less adjective
• over·chari·ty noun
• pro·chari·ty 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

Relief for individuals was provided through states, localities and private charities, typically in the form of food or goods rather than cash.

From Washington Post

Royal patronages help charities to raise their profile — and often to raise funds.

From Washington Post

The social network also erroneously blocked dozens of government and charity websites as well, including public health sites containing critical information about the pandemic during the first week of its coronavirus vaccine rollout.

From Washington Post

Ally contributes $5,000 to each of the four finalists for their favorite charities and $10,000 to the winner to give to charity.

From Time

Ahead of the Big Game this Sunday, marketers’ plans for their ads are starting to come into focus as humor, celebrities and charity initiatives appear to be the most common themes.

From Digiday

These brave souls took an icy dip in the ocean to ring in 2015 and raise money for charity.

From The Daily Beast

Gilkes says the charity auctions Paddle8 does are “extremely important” for this reason.

From The Daily Beast

That side is volunteering extensively in his hometown of Flint, and recently, pastoring Charity United Methodist Church.

From The Daily Beast

Jack Lundie, Director of Communications for the British charity Oxfam, defended the single to the Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Harry was in Oman for a charity polo match earlier this week, the Sentebale Polo Cup.

From The Daily Beast

Be ye never joyful save when you have looked upon your brother in charity.

From Project Gutenberg

We soon found opportunity for another deed of charity not dissimilar to this, though its result was more auspicious.

From Project Gutenberg

His cheerfulness was unbounded, and it was matched by his goodness of heart, his broad charity, and common sense.

From Project Gutenberg

Never by word or action notice the defects of another; be charitable, for all need charity.

From Project Gutenberg

A something that is always waking up, and urging me to work out my own living, instead of depending on the charity of others.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• donation
• endowment
• fund
• philanthropy