What does caritas mean?
Caritas is a noun borrowed directly from Latin, where it meant dearness, esteem, and love. In English it survives chiefly as a term of Christian theology, denoting selfless, unconditional love for God and neighbour — one of the three theological virtues alongside faith (fides) and hope (spes). Unlike ordinary affection, caritas implies love that seeks nothing in return, expressed through generosity and care for others, which is why the English word 'charity' descends from it. The term appears mostly in religious, philosophical, and scholarly contexts, giving writing a deliberately elevated, classical tone; it also lends its name to the Catholic humanitarian network Caritas Internationalis. For writers, 'caritas' is useful precisely because its Latinate form signals that a higher, more principled kind of love is meant than everyday kindness.
nounChristian love of humankind; selfless, charitable love for others, especially as one of the three theological virtues in Christian theology. In Latin, the word means 'dearness', 'esteem', or 'love'.
- Selfless, unconditional love for others as taught in Christian theology, one of the three theological virtues alongside faith and hope (Latin: fides, spes, caritas).
- The Latin word meaning 'dearness', 'high regard', or 'affection', encountered in classical texts.
"Her years of quiet service to the poor were rooted not in duty but in genuine caritas."
"The hospital was founded on the principle of caritas — care given freely, without expectation of reward."
"In medieval theology, caritas ranked above both faith and hope as the greatest of the virtues."
Rarely pluralised; the word is usually treated as uncountable since it names an abstract virtue.
"The treatise contrasted the caritases of different monastic traditions."
Before it was a word, caritas was an idea powerful enough to reshape Western ethics — the Latin name for the highest form of love, the kind that asks nothing in return.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of caritas
Caritas comes from the Latin adjective carus, meaning 'dear' or 'beloved', via the noun caritas, 'dearness' or 'love'. St Jerome's Latin Vulgate Bible used it to translate Greek agape, fixing its association with selfless Christian love. The word entered English through ecclesiastical Latin, and its Old French descendant gave rise to the native English word 'charity'. Other English words from the same root include 'cherish' and 'caress'.
How caritas is actually used
'Caritas' is a formal, learned borrowing from Latin, used mainly in theological, philosophical, and academic writing. It carries elevated connotations and would sound out of place in casual conversation, where 'charity' or 'love' serves instead. It should not be confused with Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic relief organisation named after the concept.
Easily confused with caritas
'Charity' is the everyday English word derived from 'caritas'; 'caritas' itself retains a specifically Latin or theological register referring to selfless Christian love.
'Carnitas' is a Mexican dish of braised pork and shares only a superficial sound similarity with 'caritas'.