philanthropist
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of philanthropist
First recorded in 1720–30; philanthrop(y) + -ist
Explanation
A philanthropist is a person who gives money or gifts to charities, or helps needy people in other ways. Famous examples include Andrew Carnegie and Bill & Melinda Gates. In English, the -ist suffix describes a person who does a particular action. A philanthropist practices philanthropy. Philanthropists are wealthy people with a generous nature and a concern for human welfare. Philanthropy is from Late Latin philanthrōpia, from Greek, from philanthrōpos "humane, kind," from the prefix phil- plus anthrōpos "man, mankind."
Vocabulary lists containing philanthropist
All You Need is Love: Amor and Phil
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Giving Words
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We the People: Anthrop
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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.
See Examples For:
Annie Lennox, from Aberdeen, is a singer songwriter, political activist and philanthropist.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
A philanthropist or employer may decide to donate to the accounts at any time, meaning the child could get an unexpected contribution.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026
“It’s never too late to get it right,” said Maggie Davis, an 83-year-old philanthropist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
If even a high-profile billionaire global philanthropist is in the dark, what does that mean for the billions of women with less than a fraction of her resources?
From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2026
From a little distance he had the bland aspect of a philanthropist.
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
Meanwhile, corporations and big-name philanthropists lined up to say they would be adding money.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
But the ties extend beyond overlapping at religious charities in the orbits of Michigan philanthropists.
From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026
His wealth enabled him to become one of the largest private landowners and wealthiest philanthropists in the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026
Ted Turner created CNN in 1980, revolutionizing the way America, and the world, got their news, and then went on to become one of the most prominent business leaders and philanthropists of his era.
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
“We occupy three beaux arts mansions that were originally private homes. The buildings are landmarked, and our donors today are philanthropists and supporters of education for girls.”
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
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.
