charitable

char·i·ta·ble

adjective \ˈcher-ə-tə-bəl, ˈcha-rə-\

Definition of CHARITABLE

1

: full of love for and goodwill toward others : benevolent

2

a : liberal in benefactions to the needy : generous

b : of or relating to charity <charitable institutions>

3

: merciful or kind in judging others : lenient

— char·i·ta·ble·ness noun

— char·i·ta·bly \-blē\ adverb

Examples of CHARITABLE

1. She makes a charitable donation every year.
2. He performs charitable work to help the poor.
3. They give money to charitable causes.
4. She has tried to be charitable about her sister's problems.
5. Half of the class has a chance at passing the test, and that is a charitable estimate.

First Known Use of CHARITABLE

14th century

Related to CHARITABLE

Synonyms

altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, do-good, eleemosynary, good, humanitarian, philanthropic (also philanthropical)

Antonyms

self-centered, self-concerned, selfish

Related Words

selfless, self-sacrificing; bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, free, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, unselfish, unsparing; compassionate, humane, kind, kindhearted; social-minded

Near Antonyms

self-indulgent, self-seeking; cheap, closefisted, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, stingy, tight, tightfisted; hard-hearted, pitiless, unfeeling; self-obsessed