Adjacent Words

Philanthropy definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PHILAN'THROPY, n. [Gr. to love, a friend, and man.] The love of mankind; benevolence towards the whole human family; universal good will. It differs from friendship, as the latter is an affection for individuals.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: voluntary promotion of human welfare [syn: philanthropy, philanthropic gift]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural -pies) Etymology: Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthr?pia, from philanthr?pos loving people, from phil- + anthr?pos human being Date: circa 1623 1. goodwill to fellowmen; especially active effort to promote human welfare 2. a. a philanthropic act or gift b. an organization distributing or supported by philanthropic funds

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a love of mankind. 2 practical benevolence, esp. charity on a large scale. Derivatives: philanthropism n. philanthropist n. philanthropize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). Etymology: LL philanthropia f. Gk philanthropia (as PHILANTHROPE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Philanthropy Phi*lan"thro*py, n. [L. philanthropia, Gr. ?: cf. F. philanthropie.] Love to mankind; benevolence toward the whole human family; universal good will; desire and readiness to do good to all men; -- opposed to misanthropy. --Jer. Taylor.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Philanthropy is the giving of money to people who need it, without wanting anything in return. ...a retired banker well known for his philanthropy.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Humanity, love of mankind, general benevolence, good-will to all men, universal good-will, large-heartedness, public-spiritedness.

Moby Thesaurus

BOMFOG, Benthamism, Christian charity, Christian love, agape, aid, almsgiving, altruism, assistance, beneficence, benevolence, benevolent disposition, benevolentness, benignity, bigheartedness, brotherly love, caritas, charitableness, charity, contribution, do-goodism, donation, flower power, generosity, giving, goodwill, grace, grant, greatheartedness, help, humanitarianism, largeheartedness, largesse, liberality, love, love of mankind, magnanimity, patronage, philanthropism, thoughtfulness, utilitarianism, welfarism, well-disposedness