charity
charity — noun
1. a group that raises money or collects goods to help people who are poor, sick, o
a group that raises money or collects goods to help people who are poor, sick, or in difficulty, and does not exist to earn profits for its owners
The local charity runs a food bank for families who cannot afford meals.
charity + runs + [service]
Ravi donated his old clothes to a charity that supports homeless teenagers.
collocation: donate + to + charity
A charity called Hope for All built a new school in the village last year.
Tomás volunteers for a wildlife charity that protects endangered sea turtles.
The charity receives most of its money from small monthly donations by local residents.
- nonprofit
more common in American English; broader term covering any organization not run for profit, not only those helping the needy
- foundation
usually a large charity set up with an initial fund, often focused on long-term projects or research
- trust
a charity managed by a board of trustees, often with a specific legal structure
用法筆記
Countable noun — you can say 'a charity' or refer to 'many charities'. Commonly used as a modifier before another noun (charity shop, charity event, charity work).
常見錯誤
2. money, food, clothing, or other aid that people give freely to support those who
money, food, clothing, or other aid that people give freely to support those who are poor, sick, or suffering, as well as the organized system of doing this through special groups
Priya gives ten percent of her salary to charity every month.
collocation: give + to + charity
All the leftover food from the wedding was given to charity.
passive: be given to charity
The charity drive collected enough food to feed a hundred families for a month.
All the money from the bake sale went to charity, not to profits.
After the earthquake, people showed great charity by sending supplies and offering shelter.
- donation
refers to a single gift of money or goods, not the overall system of giving
- aid
broader term covering government and institutional help; less personal than charity
- philanthropy
more formal; usually describes large-scale giving by wealthy individuals or foundations
- alms
old-fashioned; specifically money or food given to the poor, often in a religious context
用法筆記
Uncountable — do not use 'a charity' or 'charities' when referring to the general concept of giving aid. Common in the fixed phrase 'give to charity' and 'raise money for charity.'
常見錯誤
3. a gentle and generous attitude towards other people that makes you willing to se
a gentle and generous attitude towards other people that makes you willing to see their good side rather than judge their faults harshly
Yara treated the shy new students with charity, remembering her own difficult first day.
collocation: treat + with + charity
Diego spilled coffee on the report, but his boss showed charity and handed him a towel.
collocation: show charity (gentle response to a mistake)
Leila accepted her apology with charity, choosing to believe she had meant no harm.
The teacher showed charity toward the nervous child's mistake and quietly helped him correct it.
Neighbors showed charity by overlooking the party and smiling at the teenagers the next day.
- benevolence
more formal; describes a general wish to do good for others
- compassion
focuses on feeling sympathy for someone's suffering rather than on not judging them
- leniency
narrower; specifically about being less strict or harsh when judging someone
- humanity
broader; refers to the quality of being kind, thoughtful, and sympathetic towards others in general
用法筆記
Distinguish from SENSE 2 (GIVING): sense 2 refers to money or material help given to people in need, while this sense refers to a personal inner attitude of kindness and gentle judgment. Most common in formal, literary, or reflective writing.