Contribute — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt/ con·trib·ute

Meaning & Definition of Contribute

Contribute (verb)

  1. to give or supply (something, such as money or time) as a part or share
  2. to supply (something, such as an article) for a publication
  3. to play a significant part in making something happen

Contribute (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a donation as part of a group effort

    "would you like to contribute to the Thanksgiving fund for needy families?"

    similar: chip in, kick in, pitch in
    related: bestow, donate, give, present, award, confer, dole (out), endow, afford, furnish, provide

  2. to make a present of

    "contributes money to a variety of worthy causes"

    similar: bestow, donate, give, give away, present, volunteer, give of
    related: chip in, kick in, pitch in, throw in, award, confer, endow, endue, render, afford, comp, furnish, provide, lavish, regale, aid, assist, benefit, help, administer, dish out, dispense, dole out, hand out, impart, issue, mete (out), extend, fork (over, out, or up), offer, pay, proffer, pungle (up), put up, tender, sacrifice
    near: hold, keep, pocket, retain, withhold, preserve, save, advance, lend, loan, sell

Related Entry: Contribute (to) (verb)

Contribute (to) is a different word from Contribute. The synonyms below are for contribute (to), not for contribute.

  1. as in conduce (to)

    similar: conduce (to), beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effect, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield, decide, determine, begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start, advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, enact, render, turn out
    opposite: impede, limit, restrict, clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard, can (slang), kill, snuff (out), still, abolish, demolish, destroy, extinguish, liquidate, quench

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contribute

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contribute:

chip in, kick in, pitch in, bestow, donate, give, give away, present, volunteer, give of

Related Words for Contribute

award, confer, dole (out), endow, afford, furnish, provide, throw in, endue, render, comp, lavish, regale, aid, assist, benefit, help, administer, dish out, dispense, dole out, hand out, impart, issue, mete (out), extend, fork (over, out, or up), offer, pay, proffer

Near Antonyms of Contribute

hold, keep, pocket, retain, withhold, preserve, save, advance, lend, loan, sell

Word Forms of Contribute

Inflections: contributed, contributing, contributes

Origin & Etymology of Contribute

borrowed from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuere "to join into one unit, unite, attach (to a polity or ruler for political or administrative purposes), give as a portion or share," from con- con- + tribuere "to share, apportion, grant, bestow" tribute

First known use: 1530

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Contribute

Frequently Asked Questions about Contribute

What does "Contribute" mean?

"Contribute" means to give or supply (something, such as money or time) as a part or share. As a verb, it is defined as: to give or supply (something, such as money or time) as a part or share. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Contribute"?

Other words for "Contribute" include chip in, kick in, pitch in, bestow, donate, give, give away and present. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contribute" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Contribute"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Contribute". Common alternatives include chip in, kick in, pitch in, bestow, donate, give, give away, present, volunteer and give of.

How do you use "Contribute" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contribute" in a sentence: "would you like to contribute to the Thanksgiving fund for needy families?"; "contributes money to a variety of worthy causes".

Is "Contribute" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contribute" is a verb.

Is "Contribute" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Contribute" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Contribute"?

"Contribute" is pronounced /kən-ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt/ and divided into syllables as con·trib·ute.

What is the origin of the word "Contribute"?

"Contribute" comes from borrowed from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuere "to join into one unit, unite, attach (to a polity or ruler for political or administrative purposes), give as a portion or share," from con- con- + tribuere "to share, apportion, grant, bestow" tribute. First known use: 1530.