charitable

adjective

char·​i·​ta·​ble ˈcher-ə-tə-bəl 

ˈcha-rə-

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

charitableness noun

charitably

ˈcher-ə-tə-blē 

ˈcha-rə-

adverb

Synonyms of charitable

• philanthropic
• humanitarian
• benevolent

Examples of charitable in a Sentence

She makes a charitable donation every year.

He performs charitable work to help the poor.

They give money to charitable causes.

She has tried to be charitable about her sister's problems.

Half of the class has a chance at passing the test, and that is a charitable estimate.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ford Motor Company has its own charitable arm, Ford Philanthropy, which is funded by the company’s earnings. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Another friend, Wanda Love, was a longtime head of a local chamber of commerce who participated in charitable causes. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

As a reporter covering philanthropy and the arts for the weekly Pioneer Press newspaper chain for more than four decades, Dorothy Andries was a longtime fixture at concerts and charitable events on the North Shore. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Anthropic pledges 5 percent of its shares to its new public benefit fund as, altogether, new charitable pledges by AI companies will amount to the largest wealth giveaway in modern history. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing charitable

• charitable gift

Rhymes for charitable

• uncharitable

Kids Definition

charitable

adjective

char·​i·​ta·​ble ˈchar-ət-ə-bəl 

1

: freely giving money or help to poor and needy persons : generous

2

: given for the needy : of service to the needy

charitable funds

a charitable institution

3

: kindly in judging other people

charitableness noun

charitably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

charitable

adjective

char·​i·​ta·​ble

: of or relating to charity

charitable contributions