charitable

[char-i-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. generous in donations or gifts to relieve the needs of indigent, ill, or helpless people, or of animals.

   a charitable man giving much money to feed people experiencing food insecurity.

   Synonyms: benevolent, bountiful, liberal, beneficent
   Antonyms: selfish

2. kindly or lenient in judging people, acts, etc..

   charitable in his opinions of others.

   Synonyms: mild, considerate, broad-minded, merciful, lenient
   Antonyms: intolerant, severe

3. relating to or concerned with charity.

   a charitable institution.

charitable

/ ˈtʃærɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. generous in giving to the needy

2. kind or lenient in one's attitude towards others

3. concerned with or involving charity

Other Word Forms

• charitableness noun
• charitably adverb
• noncharitable adjective
• noncharitableness noun
• noncharitably adverb
• overcharitable adjective
• overcharitableness noun
• overcharitably adverb
• pseudocharitable adjective
• pseudocharitably adverb
• quasi-charitable adjective
• quasi-charitably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of charitable¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, equivalent to charit(e) charity + -able -able

Synonym Study

See generous.

Example Sentences

Having achieved detente after a period of acrimony, they are charitable with one another, and themselves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Paddick says he has seen "a curtailment of charitable giving".

Read more on BBC

That means coordinating flows of income, withdrawals, Roth IRA conversions, charitable giving, capital gains, and equity compensation so that your income lands in the optimal tax bracket over time.

Read more on Barron's

If you itemize deductions, the final weeks of 2025 may be your last chance to get the full tax benefit of charitable gifts.

Read more on Barron's

According to Camden Council, a number of the borough's schools provide similar support roles through charitable means or existing budgets – but it's not an expense all can afford.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• considerate 
• forgiving 
• gracious 
• magnanimous 
• thoughtful 
• tolerant