Charity

This is a list of charity vocabulary for English language learners.

Charity Vocabulary

This is a list of charity vocabulary for English language learners.

Meaning and Etymology

The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act. The word “charity” entered the English language through the Old French word “charité,” which was derived from the Latin “caritas.”

Originally, in Latin, the word “caritas” meant preciousness, dearness, high price.

Essential Charity Vocabulary

Here is a list of vocabulary items related to charity:

Glossary of Charity-Related Terms

• Aid:
  • Assistance, especially in the form of money, food, or other resources provided to those in need.
  • Example: “International aid is crucial for disaster-stricken areas.”
• Alms:
  • Money or food given to poor people.
  • Example: “The beggar received alms from kind strangers.”
• Benevolence:
  • The quality of being well-meaning and kindly.
  • Example: “Her benevolence was evident in her generous donations to the shelter.”
• Benevolent:
  • Well-meaning and kindly.
  • Example: “He was known for his benevolent nature.”
• Benevolent Society:
  • An organization that helps those in need.
  • Example: “She volunteered at the local benevolent society.”
• Button Day:
  • A day when people sell buttons to raise money for charity.
  • Example: “Button Day raised significant funds for the hospital.”
• Charitable:
  • Relating to the assistance of those in need.
  • Example: “She made a charitable donation to the orphanage.”
• Charity:
  • The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.
  • Example: “Charity begins at home, but it should not end there.”
• Charity Begins at Home (Idiom):
  • The principle that one should take care of one’s family and close ones before helping others.
  • Example: “While he donated to many causes, he believed charity begins at home.”
• Charity Box:
  • A box where donations for charity are collected.
  • Example: “They placed a charity box at the store entrance.”
• Collection Box:
  • A container used to collect money for charity.
  • Example: “The collection box was filled with coins and notes by the end of the day.”
• Crowdfunder:
  • A platform or person who raises money from a large number of people, typically via the internet, for a project or cause.
  • Example: “The charity used a crowdfunder to support its new initiative.”
• Debt Relief:
  • The partial or total remission of debts, especially those owed by developing countries.
  • Example: “The organization advocates for debt relief for impoverished nations.”
• Donation Box:
  • A container where donations are placed.
  • Example: “The donation box at the event helped raise funds for the food bank.”
• Drive:
  • A campaign to collect money or items for charity.
  • Example: “The winter coat drive provided warm clothing for the homeless.”
• Flag Day:
  • A day when charitable organizations sell flags to raise money.
  • Example: “Flag Day is an annual tradition to support local charities.”
• Food Bank:
  • A place where stocks of food, typically basic provisions and non-perishable items, are supplied free of charge to people in need.
  • Example: “The food bank serves hundreds of families each week.”
• Food Pantry:
  • A distribution center where food is given to the needy.
  • Example: “Volunteers at the food pantry helped distribute groceries.”
• Foreign Aid:
  • Money, food, or other resources given or lent by one country to another.
  • Example: “Foreign aid is essential for countries recovering from natural disasters.”
• Foundation:
  • An organization established to provide funds for charitable purposes.
  • Example: “The foundation supports education initiatives worldwide.”
• Friend:
  • In the context of charity, a supporter or benefactor.
  • Example: “She is a long-time friend of the animal shelter.”
• Fundraising:
  • The activity of collecting money for a particular purpose, especially charity.
  • Example: “The school held a fundraising event to build a new playground.”
• Good Cause:
  • A charitable or worthwhile undertaking.
  • Example: “They raised money for a good cause.”
• Goodwill:
  • Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.
  • Example: “The company’s goodwill was evident in its community projects.”
• Non-Profit:
  • An organization that operates for purposes other than making a profit, typically dedicated to furthering a social cause.
  • Example: “She works for a non-profit focused on environmental conservation.”
• Non-Profit-Making:
  • Not established for the purpose of making a profit.
  • Example: “The non-profit-making organization relies on donations.”
• Not-For-Profit:
  • Another term for non-profit.
  • Example: “The not-for-profit organization provides free legal aid.”
• Oxfam:
  • A global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.
  • Example: “Oxfam’s campaigns have a significant impact on global poverty reduction.”
• Pearly King:
  • A member of a traditional working-class culture of charitable organizations in London.
  • Example: “The Pearly Kings and Queens are known for their charitable work.”
• Pearly Queen:
  • The female counterpart of a Pearly King.
  • Example: “The Pearly Queen attended the charity event.”
• Semi-Public:
  • Partially open to the public, often used to describe organizations that are publicly accessible but privately managed.
  • Example: “The semi-public institution organized a fundraising gala.”
• The Peace Corps:
  • A volunteer program run by the United States government aimed at providing social and economic development abroad.
  • Example: “She served in the Peace Corps for two years.”
• The Red Crescent:
  • A humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education.
  • Example: “The Red Crescent was quick to respond to the earthquake.”
• The Red Cross:
  • An international humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education.
  • Example: “The Red Cross is known for its disaster response efforts.”
• Veganuary:
  • A campaign that encourages people to try veganism for the month of January.
  • Example: “Veganuary raises awareness about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.”
• Voluntary:
  • Done, given, or acting of one’s own free will.
  • Example: “She offered her voluntary services to the local shelter.”
• Volunteer:
  • A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.
  • Example: “The volunteers worked tirelessly to distribute aid.”
• Walkathon:
  • An event in which people walk a certain distance to raise money for a charity.
  • Example: “The annual walkathon raises funds for cancer research.”

Idioms About Charity

Here is a list of idioms related to charity, along with their meanings and examples:

1. Charity Begins at Home
   • Meaning: One should take care of one’s family and close ones before helping others.
   • Example: “She volunteers at the local shelter, but she always remembers that charity begins at home.”
2. Dig Deep
   • Meaning: To make a lot of effort with all one’s resources, especially in giving money.
   • Example: “We ask our supporters to dig deep to help us reach our fundraising goal.”
3. Give the Shirt Off One’s Back
   • Meaning: To give anything and everything one possesses.
   • Example: “He’s the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need.”
4. Good Samaritan
   • Meaning: A person who helps others in need out of compassion and without expecting anything in return.
   • Example: “A good Samaritan stopped to help the injured driver.”
5. Pay It Forward
   • Meaning: To repay a kindness received by being kind to someone else.
   • Example: “After receiving help during hard times, she decided to pay it forward by volunteering at the food bank.”
6. In Someone’s Debt
   • Meaning: Owing gratitude or a favor to someone.
   • Example: “After they helped rebuild his home, he felt he was in their debt.”
7. Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
   • Meaning: When you need help, you should be grateful for whatever help you receive, even if it’s not exactly what you wanted.
   • Example: “When it comes to donated clothes, beggars can’t be choosers.”
8. Have a Heart of Gold
   • Meaning: To be very kind and generous.
   • Example: “She has a heart of gold and is always helping those in need.”
9. It’s Better to Give Than to Receive
   • Meaning: Giving to others is more fulfilling and rewarding than receiving.
   • Example: “During the holidays, she always reminds her children that it’s better to give than to receive.”
10. Go the Extra Mile
    • Meaning: To make a special effort to achieve something or help someone.
    • Example: “The volunteers went the extra mile to ensure every family received a holiday meal.”
11. Throw Good Money After Bad
    • Meaning: To waste money by continuing to invest in something that is failing.
    • Example: “Donating more to the failed project is just throwing good money after bad.”
12. Take Up a Collection
    • Meaning: To gather money from a group of people for a specific purpose, often for charity.
    • Example: “They took up a collection to help the family who lost their home in the fire.”
13. Cast Bread Upon the Waters
    • Meaning: To do good without expecting anything in return.
    • Example: “She believes in casting her bread upon the waters by helping others whenever she can.”
14. Give Freely
    • Meaning: To give without hesitation or expectation of return.
    • Example: “He gives freely to various charities every year.”
15. At the End of One’s Rope
    • Meaning: To be in a state of desperation.
    • Example: “They were at the end of their rope, but a charitable donation helped them get back on their feet.”

Quiz: Test Your Charity Vocabulary

Related Pages:

• Charity vocabulary
• Quotes about charity and generosity
• Mother Teresa
• Quotes by Mother Teresa