philanthropic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonphilanthropic adjective
- nonphilanthropical adjective
- philanthropically adverb
- pseudophilanthropic adjective
- pseudophilanthropical adjective
- pseudophilanthropically adverb
- unphilanthropic adjective
- unphilanthropically adverb
Etymology
Origin of philanthropic
First recorded in 1780–90; philanthrop(y) + -ic
Explanation
Something given to help others is philanthropic. Money, household items, giving your time and energy to a cause — all can be philanthropic contributions. Philanthropic, pronounced "fill-an-THRAW-pick," comes from the Greek word philanthropos "loving mankind, useful to man." Philanthropic organizations work to help people, running their operations by relying on resources donated by people who are able to give. Many charities, museums, universities, cultural centers, and scientific institutions rely on philanthropic support to pay their bills.
Vocabulary lists containing philanthropic
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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'Tis The Season: Words For Giving
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This Week in Words: September 15 - 21, 2018
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now Bignell, who Nike said is leaving to pursue his own creative and philanthropic interests, will be the third innovation chief to exit from the role in less than three years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
The other beneficiaries of Buffett’s philanthropic giving are family foundations, including three run by each of his three children.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
He described Schwarzenegger as a powerful advocate "for the environment, for the people of California and for the philanthropic causes he champions".
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
This kind of content is what Donaldson has become known for: convoluted challenges and grandiose philanthropic efforts.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
He was Howard Poillon, a hardheaded businessman who was determined to make the most of the corporation’s growing patent portfolio but also more willing to defer to Cottrell’s wishes and judgment on philanthropic matters.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
