Charity: meaning, definitions and examples

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charity

 

[ ˈtʃærɪti ]

Context #1 | Noun

act of giving

Charity is the act of giving help, usually in the form of money, to those in need. It is a voluntary act that aims to improve the well-being of others.

Synonyms

altruism, philanthropy.

Examples of usage

  • Her charity towards the homeless was well-known in the community.
  • Donating to charity organizations can make a real difference in people's lives.
Context #2 | Noun

organization

Charity can also refer to organizations that provide help and raise funds for those in need. These organizations often focus on specific causes such as healthcare, education, or poverty alleviation.

Synonyms

NGO, nonprofit.

Examples of usage

  • The charity organized a fundraising event to support children's education.
  • She works for a charity that helps victims of natural disasters.
Context #3 | Noun

kindness

Charity can also mean kindness and tolerance in judging others. It is about showing love and compassion towards one another.

Synonyms

compassion, kindness.

Examples of usage

  • His charity towards his colleagues created a positive work environment.
  • She showed charity by forgiving those who wronged her.

Translations

Translations of the word "charity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caridade

🇮🇳 चैरिटी

🇩🇪 Wohltätigkeit

🇮🇩 amal

🇺🇦 благодійність

🇵🇱 dobroczynność

🇯🇵 慈善

🇫🇷 charité

🇪🇸 caridad

🇹🇷 hayırseverlik

🇰🇷 자선

🇸🇦 خيرية

🇨🇿 charita

🇸🇰 charita

🇨🇳 慈善

🇸🇮 dobrodelnost

🇮🇸 góðgerðarstarf

🇰🇿 қайырымдылық

🇬🇪 ქველმოქმედება

🇦🇿 xeyriyyə

🇲🇽 caridad

Etymology

The word 'charity' originated from the Old French word 'charité', which in turn came from the Latin 'caritas' meaning 'dearness' or 'high regard'. In medieval Christianity, 'caritas' was used to translate the Greek word 'agape', which referred to the love of God for humanity. Over time, 'charity' evolved to encompass the act of giving help and kindness to others without expecting anything in return.

See also: char, charade, charbroil, charcoal, charred, charring.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,777, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.