Philanthropy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pē/ phi·lan·thro·py

Meaning & Definition of Philanthropy

Philanthropy (noun)

  1. goodwill to fellow members of the human race; especially, active effort to promote human welfare
  2. an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes
  3. an organization distributing or supported by funds set aside for humanitarian purposes

Philanthropy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution

    "among the industrialist's philanthropies was a college scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city"

    similar: alms, benefaction, beneficence, charity, contribution, donation
    related: offering, tithe, bequest, endowment, legacy, aid, assistance, dole, handout, relief, welfare, grant, subsidy, benevolence, bestowal, largesse, present, presentation

  2. the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy

    "much dedicated to philanthropy, the industrialist maintains a surprisingly modest lifestyle"

    similar: almsgiving, charity, dole
    related: altruism, do-gooding, do-goodism, humanism, humanitarianism, beneficence, benevolence, goodwill, alms, benefaction, contribution, donation, relief, welfare, endowment, fund, grant, subsidy

  3. the quality or state of being generous

    "a society dowager renowned for her philanthropy"

    similar: bigheartedness, bountifulness, bounty, generosity, generousness, largesse, liberality, munificence, openhandedness, openheartedness, unselfishness
    related: beneficence, charity, kindliness, selflessness, kindness, gift, gratuity, lagniappe, tribute, extravagance, improvidence, lavishness, prodigality, wastefulness, spendthrift, dissipating, squandering
    opposite: cheapness, closeness, meanness, miserliness, parsimony, penuriousness, pinching, selfishness, stinginess, tightness, ungenerosity
    near: conserving, economizing, economy, frugality, husbandry, providence, scrimping, skimping, thrift, conservation, saving, husbanding, managing, scraping, cutting back

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Philanthropy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Philanthropy:

alms, benefaction, beneficence, charity, contribution, donation, almsgiving, dole, bigheartedness, bountifulness, bounty, generosity, generousness, largesse, liberality, munificence, openhandedness, openheartedness, unselfishness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Philanthropy

Words with the opposite meaning of Philanthropy:

cheapness, closeness, meanness, miserliness, parsimony, penuriousness, pinching, selfishness, stinginess, tightness, ungenerosity

Related Words for Philanthropy

offering, tithe, bequest, endowment, legacy, aid, assistance, handout, relief, welfare, grant, subsidy, benevolence, bestowal, present, presentation, altruism, do-gooding, do-goodism, humanism, humanitarianism, goodwill, fund, kindliness, selflessness, kindness, gift, gratuity, lagniappe, tribute

Near Antonyms of Philanthropy

conserving, economizing, economy, frugality, husbandry, providence, scrimping, skimping, thrift, conservation, saving, husbanding, managing, scraping, cutting back

Word Forms of Philanthropy

Inflections: philanthropies

Origin & Etymology of Philanthropy

Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthrōpia, from philanthrōpos loving people, from phil- + anthrōpos human being

First known use: circa 1623

Frequently Asked Questions about Philanthropy

What does "Philanthropy" mean?

"Philanthropy" means goodwill to fellow members of the human race; especially, active effort to promote human welfare. As a noun, it is defined as: goodwill to fellow members of the human race; especially, active effort to promote human welfare. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Philanthropy"?

Other words for "Philanthropy" include alms, benefaction, beneficence, charity, contribution, donation, almsgiving and dole. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Philanthropy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Philanthropy"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Philanthropy". Common alternatives include alms, benefaction, beneficence, charity, contribution, donation, almsgiving, dole, bigheartedness and bountifulness.

What is the opposite of "Philanthropy"?

Antonyms of "Philanthropy" include cheapness, closeness, meanness, miserliness, parsimony, penuriousness, pinching and selfishness. Near antonyms include conserving, economizing, economy and frugality.

How do you use "Philanthropy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Philanthropy" in a sentence: "among the industrialist's philanthropies was a college scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city"; "much dedicated to philanthropy, the industrialist maintains a surprisingly modest lifestyle"; "a society dowager renowned for her philanthropy".

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

"Philanthropy" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Philanthropy"?

"Philanthropy" is pronounced /fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pē/ and divided into syllables as phi·lan·thro·py.

What is the origin of the word "Philanthropy"?

"Philanthropy" comes from Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthrōpia, from philanthrōpos loving people, from phil- + anthrōpos human being. First known use: circa 1623.