philanthropic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
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.
But Parton planned out a strategy for her businesses and philanthropic work to continue through trusts, the details of which are not public.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
So did Nick Beckstead, the former head of FTX’s philanthropic arm, who now runs an advocacy organization to reduce AI risks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
The philanthropic funder has since rebranded itself as Coefficient Giving, and is a prolific backer of AI safety nonprofits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
The programme is funded by philanthropic foundations and has received about $300,000 to date, according to Borneo Futures.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
Thought to be the world’s first incorporated charity, it continues as a foundation, museum, garden sanctuary and philanthropic cause to this day.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
