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

• charitably adverb
• charitableness noun
• 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

The group presents itself as focused on fellowship, moral development and charity, and is among the UK's biggest charitable donors.

From BBC

"One of the great things about these team events for me is there's always such a big charitable component to it, so I'm going to donate the money," he said.

From BBC

What can count as a charitable activity is defined very broadly due to the language that Congress approved over a century ago.

From Salon

A tote board promised a charitable contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America based on the winners’ ability to keep their acceptance speeches short.

From Los Angeles Times

Its owners, the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, a catholic order based in Leeds, said it hoped to find a "charitable" use for the land and buildings.

From BBC

Related Words

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