What does "charity" mean?
An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable purpose.
Charity
/ˈtʃæɹɪti/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable purpose.
- Grammar: charity is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: charitable organization, abetment, accord, accordance.
- Useful contrasts: for profit enterprise, mutual aid program, avarice.
- Usage evidence: The generous dentist contributed some two billion yen to charity.
How to use "charity"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "charity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "charity" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "charity" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "charity" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "charity" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "charitable organization" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "charity", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An organization, the objective of which is to carry out a charitable purpose. countable
"‘[…] I remember a lady coming to inspect St. Mary's Home where I was brought up and seeing us all in our lovely Elizabethan uniforms we were so proud of, and bursting into tears all over us because “it was wicked to dress us like charity children”.[…]’."
- 2 an activity or gift that benefits the public at large wordnet
- 3 The goods or money given to those in need. countable
- 4 a kindly and lenient attitude toward people wordnet
- 5 Benevolence to others less fortunate than ourselves; the providing of goods or money to those in need. uncountable
"act of charity"
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 an institution set up to provide help to the needy wordnet
- 7 In general, an attitude of kindness and understanding towards others, now especially suggesting generosity. countable, uncountable
"July 20, 1677, John Mitchell Mason, letter to a friend Judge thyself with the judgment of sincerity, and thou witl judge others with the judgment of charity."
- 8 a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals) wordnet
- 9 Christian love; representing God's love of man, man's love of God, or man's love of his fellow-men. archaic, countable, uncountable
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil."
- 10 pinnate-leaved European perennial having bright blue or white flowers wordnet
- 11 A free throw. Philippines, US, countable, informal, uncountable
Proper Noun
- 1 A female given name from English.
"By Gis and by Saint Charity, / Alack, and fie for shame!"
- 2 The 107th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The generous dentist contributed some two billion yen to charity."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "charity"?
Common synonyms include: charitable organization, abetment, accord, accordance, admiration, adoration.
How do you use "charity" in a sentence?
The generous dentist contributed some two billion yen to charity.
How do you pronounce "charity"?
Pronounced /ˈtʃæɹɪti/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English charite, from Old French charité, cherte, chariteit, cariteit, from Latin cāritās.
Etymology 2
From charity in the Biblical sense of Christian love; first used by Puritans. In early Christian tradition, Faith, Hope and Charity were the martyred daughters of Saint Sophia. The names, taken from 1 Corinthians 13:13 ("And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity") have been translated and used in many languages. The name of the sura (chapter) is one of several translations of the original Arabic.