charity

¹ American  

[char-i-tee] / ˈtʃær ɪ ti /

noun

plural

charities

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

• charityless adjective
• overcharity noun
• procharity adjective

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; cherish, Kama, caress; -ity

Example Sentences

He treated the lottery more like "an opportunity to donate to charity - with the chance of winning as a bonus" and was shocked at finally seeing the winning code.

From BBC

Jim Pearson, the charity's deputy chief executive and chairman of Childhood Dementia Scotland, said in the report that childhood dementia remained "largely invisible" within health, social care and education systems.

From BBC

Toddler groups, football clubs and local charities all showed up at the supermarket to collect boxes.

From BBC

Bidders will be vying for the chance to attend the charity External link lunch, which will take place in Omaha on June 24 with Buffett and the Currys attending.

From Barron's

Applications can be made via local authorities and partner organisations, including housing associations and charities such as Citizens Advice.

From BBC

Related Words

• donation
• endowment
• fund
• philanthropy