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• charity
  charity

  noun

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

  noun

  a female given name.

charity

¹ American  

[char-i-tee] / ˈtʃær ɪ ti /

noun

• charities
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• overcharity
  noun
• charityless
  adjective
• procharity
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• charities
  plural

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; see cherish, Kama, caress; see also -ity

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

charity Charity charities

The Daily Express reports that Alzheimer's research is entering "a golden era", according to the charity Alzheimer's Society.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The charity sale marks a "tangible expression of innovation, responsibility, and long-term vision for future generations," Sotheby's said.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The experience shook the charity worker, who has had trouble sleeping since the attacks.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

She said the person who donated the ring had not only helped the charity but "they have made a wonderful memory for us."

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

“It’s difficult to maintain hope amid so much tragedy,” said a nun from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity congregation, who was consoling survivors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

The group of sisters positioned on the corner in front of the office were from different orders: Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of the Precious Blood, Sisters of Charity and Sisters of Divine Providence.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026

The Charity Commission said the Al-Khair Foundation recorded an income of more than £74m in the financial year ending 31 July 2025.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

The Charity Commission launched an inquiry into Muslim faith-based charity Al-Khair Foundation on Friday.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

I will make my way back to Charity and her freeway commune.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

In fact, Citizens Advice, a network of local charities that offers free confidential advice, including on finances, said more paying parents ask it for help than receiving parents.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

A government spokesperson said the alert was sent "after a direct request from fire and rescue services" and it was working closely with domestic abuse charities for tests of the system.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Same gift, same charities but $15,000 less income she is taxed on.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

The most common way people give money to charities these days is now also probably the most expensive way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

This was a woman who would check up on the finances of charities she gave to.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• donation
• endowment
• fund
• philanthropy