benefactor
gb/bˈɛnɪfˌæktɚ/ us/bˈɛnɪfˌæktɚ/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
person who gives money or help
A person who gives money or help to another person, group, or cause as a kind and generous gift.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a benefactor of/to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'benefactor' with 'beneficiary'. A 'benefactor' GIVES help or money; a 'beneficiary' RECEIVES it. Another common mistake is using a verb form like *'he benefactored the school'*. English does not use a common verb from this noun; instead say 'He donated to the school' or 'He was a benefactor to the school.'
Synonyms
donor (Often used for someone who gives money, blood, or organs; slightly more general and less formal than 'benefactor'.)
|
patron (Commonly used for someone who regularly supports artists, writers, or institutions, sometimes over a long period.)
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sponsor (Suggests support, often financial, but usually in return for publicity or some benefit, rather than a pure gift.)
Antonyms
beneficiary (The opposite role in the same relationship: a beneficiary receives the help or money that a benefactor gives.)
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opponent (In context, an opponent may actively work against a cause instead of supporting it with help or money.)
Collocations
anonymous benefactor
|generous benefactor
|wealthy benefactor
|chief benefactor
|a benefactor of the arts
|a benefactor to the school
Themes
charity
|money
|society
|business
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- An anonymous benefactor paid off all the hospital bills for the children’s ward.
- The museum named a new gallery after its main benefactor.
- Thanks to a generous benefactor, the scholarship fund will continue for another ten years.
- Local schools depend on benefactors to provide computers and other equipment.
- The charity honored its longtime benefactors at a special dinner.
Learner examples
- A kind benefactor gave money to rebuild the library.
- The school found a benefactor who paid for new books.
- An unknown benefactor sent food and clothes to the family.
- The hospital thanked its benefactors for their help.
- He became a benefactor of the art center after he sold his company.
Grammar
Dictionary form
benefactor
IPA
GB/bˈɛnɪfˌæktɚ/
US/bˈɛnɪfˌæktɚ/
Syllables & stress
be - ne - fact - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (be)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: benefactor
- Plural: benefactors
Word family
Forms
benefactors
noun
Core family
Related words
beneficially
adverb
Advanced or less common
Expressions
a benefactor of the arts
1/ə bˈɛnɪfˌæktɚ əv ðə ˈɑɹts/
fixed phrase
formal
person who financially supports the arts
A person who gives money or help to support artists, museums, theaters, or other art activities.
Examples
- As a longtime benefactor of the arts, she has funded many small theaters and galleries.
- The city awarded him for his work as a benefactor of the arts.
anonymous benefactor
1/ənˈɑnəməs bˈɛnɪfˌæktɚ/
fixed phrase
unknown person giving help or money
A person who gives money or help as a gift but does not want other people to know their name.
Examples
- An anonymous benefactor paid for all the students’ textbooks this year.
- The shelter received a large donation from an anonymous benefactor.