charity

¹

[char-i-tee]

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.

Charity

²

[char-i-tee]

noun

1. a female given name.

charity

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• charityless adjective
• overcharity noun
• procharity adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of charity¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of charity¹

C13: from Old French charite, from Latin cāritās affection, love, from cārus dear

Example Sentences

Police say five killed were Portuguese - and four of them worked at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia charity, located at the top of the hill.

From BBC

During past three years, they’ve played in the same charity golf tournament at Pebble Beach, and Riley said he has “cherished” that time with his predecessor.

From Los Angeles Times

Katharine continued to work with the UN children's charity Unicef, and to help victims of landmines in Cambodia - but she drifted further and further away from the Royal Family.

From BBC

The duchess was a great music lover - supporting music charities and teaching music in a Hull primary school, where pupils knew nothing of her royal identity, and where she was known as "Mrs Kent".

From BBC

The UK's largest foodbank charity - which has 1,400 locations - has been marking 25 years since its first one opened.

From BBC

Related Words

• donation 
• endowment 
• fund 
• philanthropy