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

Former First Lady Laura Bush was again in the front row, flanked this year by philanthropist Lee Ann White and Dallas Cowboys owners Gene and Jerry Jones. — Holly Haber, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

In 2026, the fair is honoring Helen Storrow, the philanthropist and preservationist who helped shape its home cooking programs and championed simple, farm-to-table recipes. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026

Twenty farms have carved out large corn mazes to honor the late country music icon, actor and philanthropist and raise money for her Imagination Library, which provides free books to children. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Other members include fashion designer Mary Helen Bowers, entrepreneur Allison Lutnick, businessman Douglas Manchester and philanthropist Catherine Reynolds and former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see philanthropy

First Known Use

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above