What does charity mean?
Charity is the practice of voluntarily giving help — most commonly money, but also time, goods, or care — to those who need it. It also names the organizations that collect and distribute such assistance, from small local trusts to global foundations. A third, older sense carries connotations of kindness, mercy, and tolerant judgment of others: to speak charitably of someone is to interpret their actions generously. The word derives from the Latin caritas, meaning dearness or love, which gives it deep roots in Christian teaching, where charity stands alongside faith and hope as a cardinal virtue. Today it appears everywhere from tax law ('registered charity') to fundraising events and the proverb 'charity begins at home'. Its tone is warm and positive, implying selflessness rather than obligation. Because it spans both an abstract virtue and concrete institutions, charity is among the most versatile words in English for discussing human goodwill and social responsibility.
nounThe voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need; an organization established to provide such help. Also, kindness and tolerance in judging or treating others.
- The voluntary giving of help, especially money, food, or other resources, to people in need.
- An organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.
- Kindness, leniency, and forbearance in one's judgment of others; Christian love of humankind.
"She donated a generous portion of her salary to charity every month."
"The proceeds from the concert were donated entirely to local charities."
"'Charity begins at home,' he said, insisting his first duty was to look after his own family."
The plural 'charities' is used chiefly when referring to multiple charitable organizations; it rarely describes multiple separate acts of giving, where 'acts of charity' or 'donations' would be preferred instead.
"Several international charities coordinated their relief efforts after the earthquake."
"Charity" and "cherish" come from the very same Latin root — caritas — which originally meant dearness and love before it ever meant giving money.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of charity
Charity entered Middle English around the late twelfth century through Old French 'charite', ultimately deriving from the Latin 'caritas', meaning dearness, esteem, or affection — itself formed from 'carus', meaning dear or beloved. Early English usage centred on the Christian sense of divine love and benevolence toward humankind, following St Paul's use of the term in translations of the New Testament. By the sixteenth century the word had broadened to cover practical acts of giving to the poor and, later still, the institutions that organized such giving. It shares its ultimate root with 'cherish', both descending from the same Latin stem expressing warmth and dearness.
Related word forms
How charity is actually used
In everyday modern usage, 'charity' most often refers to either the act of donating or to charitable organizations. In religious contexts, particularly Christianity, it carries a deeper sense of love of humanity — as in St Paul's famous description of faith, hope, and charity. The plural 'charities' almost always refers to organizations rather than individual acts of giving. In British English, 'registered charity' is a formal legal designation.
Easily confused with charity
A chariot is an ancient two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle used in battle and racing, while charity is the giving of help to those in need.
Chastity means abstaining from sexual relations, whereas charity refers to generosity and aid given to others.