philanthropist

noun

phi·​lan·​thro·​pist fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pist 

: one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare : a person who practices philanthropy

Did you know?

The Greek root of philanthropy may be literally translated as "loving people." The English word can refer to general goodwill to one's fellow people, as well as to the active effort to promote the welfare of people, but in modern use it is most often used to refer specifically to the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for others. A person who practices philanthropy is called a philanthropist; the term philanthrope was formerly used with the same meaning, but it is now considered archaic.

Examples of philanthropist in a Sentence

Among his converts was Arthur Tappan, a New York textile merchant and philanthropist who sheltered and guided the development of the antislavery movement through its long early years by dint of sheer openhandedness. —Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005

John D. was indisputably a great philanthropist. He took care of his family first, of course; but he founded the University of Chicago in 1892, the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in 1901, and the Rockefeller Foundation in 1911, and made other substantial gifts along the way. —Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 23 Dec. 2002

You had to admire it and admire the man, who sat now like a benign locust, his slender insectile body swamped in a black leather chair, leaning over the desk, all smiles, a parasite disguised as a philanthropist. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000

… a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist in Hartsdale named Henry J. Gaisman donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. —Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike the city's public schools, this costly construction is largely funded by one billionaire philanthropist, Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade. —Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026

The need for government to step into the shoes once filled by philanthropists like Agnes Gund becomes even more vital. —Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026

On Thursday, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art celebrated the opening of its 347,500-square-foot David Geffen Galleries (named for a $150 million gift from the billionaire philanthropist) with a starry gala. —Maggie Coughlan, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026

Aside from the governor, other late contributors to Illinois Future included casino magnate Neil Bluhm, developer Elzie Higginbottom, and philanthropist Cari Sacks, who, along with husband Michael Sacks, is a major Democratic donor. —Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see philanthropy

First Known Use

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above