rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycharityHelp for people in need
noun

charity

CHAIR-uh-tee/ˈtʃærəti/

Voluntary kindness and assistance toward others.

Volunteers provide food to families in need as an act of charity.

Community volunteers distribute bags of fresh food to families from an organized donation table, warm respectful giving, plain unmarked bags.
Etymology
charityLatinesteem, affection

Latin caritas meant esteem or affection and came to express Christian love of others. That broad ideal of love also took a practical sense: giving help to people in need.

In context

CBS Mornings0:00
the world is more than 2,000 billionaires many of them are being asked to give half of their fortunes to charity
Charitable billionaires asked to give half their fortunes to charity

More examples

  • She gives a portion of every paycheck to charity.
  • The local charity provides warm meals for people without housing.
  • She shows charity when judging coworkers who make honest mistakes.

Forms

charity

charitable adjective — Generous in helping people who need support.

Similar words

aid
Includes government support and help that must be repaid.
relief
Emphasizes easing immediate hardship, especially after disasters or emergencies.