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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

Harry was at one time among Britain's most popular royals -- a military and charity trailblazer with the fiery red hair and rebellious streak.

From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026

Harry then spent a sabbatical year in Australia and Africa, caring for orphans in Lesotho, where he founded a charity in Diana's memory.

From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026

Harley has already released her own version of the song to raise funds for her charity, Save Our Lives, but the unlikely musical double act will perform together on Saturday.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

One of them was Marcia Zwilling, representing the Diane Warren Foundation, a charity that supports animals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

But she also needed me—as a contrast, as a charity friend, and as someone who’d known her for years and years.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

“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

Charity leaders have said donations to food banks and community larders have hit record lows and they face an uncertain future.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

In the subsequent Charity Shield against league champions Leeds United, Keegan was sent off after a flare-up with Billy Bremner, who was also dismissed, with both leaving the Wembley pitch shirtless.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

As I slowly hobbled my way back down the path and out onto the dusty lane, I could hear Mrs. Maroney calling, “Charity Englehart! Where is Miss Charity? I need her to entertain Flora. Now!”

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Chandrasekaran said the decision to leave in February was because he failed to secure the backing of a board director, whom he didn’t name, despite having the support of two key charities in Tata Trusts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

She was given gifts from children's charities including a new car, a cruise in Tenerife, and also free X-Factor tickets.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

It also works with other charities, like the Birthday Party Project, which helps families experiencing homelessness with supplies to give their children birthday parties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

Some of his claims about his personal life, including that he once ran 30 marathons in 35 days and raised millions for charities, were also disputed.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Sure, I could fight with the bank, or plead with the charities.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• donation
• endowment
• fund
• philanthropy