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:
The Aberdeen-based businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood has died aged 84, his family has announced.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 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
This massive portrait of philanthropist Betty Freeman was painted four years after Hockney left the Royal College of Art in London and is part of his acclaimed “California Dreaming” series.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
Bill Gates told Congress that Jeffrey Epstein discovered that he had had affairs during his marriage and tried to leverage that information against the billionaire philanthropist.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
Thirty-one Sing Sing wardens had lasted only little over a year; they included a steamfitter, a coal dealer, a horseman, a postmaster, a customs revenue collector, a millionaire and philanthropist, and “assorted ward-heelers.”
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
His plan would leave that role to corporations and private philanthropists instead.
From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026
Meanwhile, corporations and big-name philanthropists lined up to say they would be adding money.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 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
Billionaire philanthropists donate their entire fortunes to fund efforts that bring Fixers to impoverished nations, making certain that every human on the planet in need is able to receive treatment.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
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.
