philanthropic
gb/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk/ us/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
related to charitable giving
About giving money or help to people in need or to good causes.
Usage pattern:
[philanthropic] + [work/efforts/activities/organization/donation]
Common mistake:
Often confused with philosophical (about ideas) or with philanthropist (the person who gives).
Synonyms
charitable (More general and more common in everyday speech.)
|
benevolent (Often highlights kindness of intent, not only donations.)
Antonyms
selfish (Focused on personal benefit rather than helping others.)
|
exploitative (Taking advantage of others instead of supporting them.)
Collocations
philanthropic work
|philanthropic efforts
|philanthropic activity
|philanthropic giving
|philanthropic donation
|philanthropic grant
|philanthropic organization
|philanthropic foundation
|philanthropic support
|philanthropic mission
Themes
charity
|society
|business
|nonprofits
Examples
- The company is known for its philanthropic work in education and public health.
- She made a large philanthropic donation to fund scholarships for first-generation students.
- The museum relies on philanthropic support as well as ticket sales.
Learner examples
- He is involved in philanthropic projects.
- They gave philanthropic support to the hospital.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
showing concern for others
Wanting to help other people, especially by giving money.
Usage pattern:
[a] philanthropic [person/individual/family]
Common mistake:
Learners may use philanthropic for small everyday kindness; it usually suggests organized or significant giving.
Synonyms
generous (Broader; can include time, attention, or gifts without a social cause.)
|
altruistic (Emphasizes caring for others, not necessarily financial giving.)
Antonyms
stingy (Unwilling to give money or resources.)
|
self-interested (Motivated mainly by personal gain.)
Collocations
a philanthropic person
|a philanthropic family
|a philanthropic entrepreneur
|a philanthropic mindset
|a philanthropic spirit
|philanthropic goals
|philanthropic priorities
|philanthropic interests
Themes
personality
|values
|society
Examples
- Despite his fame, he remained deeply philanthropic and funded community clinics.
- They are a philanthropic family that supports local arts programs every year.
- Her philanthropic approach to business focused on long-term community impact.
Learner examples
- She is philanthropic and helps many people.
- They are a philanthropic family.
Grammar
Dictionary form
philanthropic
IPA
GB/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk/
US/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk/
Syllables & stress
phil - an - throp - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (throp)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: philanthropic
Word family
Core family
philanthropy
noun C1
philanthropist
noun C1
Related words
philanthropically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
misanthropic
adjective
misanthropy
noun
Expressions
philanthropic arm
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk ˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
business
company’s charity division
The department of an organization that handles charity work.
Examples
- The bank’s philanthropic arm funds financial literacy programs.
- Applications are reviewed by the philanthropic arm of the corporation.
- The museum’s philanthropic arm coordinates major donor events.
philanthropic efforts
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk ˈɛfɚts/
fixed phrase
formal
charity work and projects
Organized work to help people or support causes.
Examples
- Their philanthropic efforts focus on clean water and sanitation.
- The award recognized her philanthropic efforts over three decades.
- The company expanded its philanthropic efforts into rural areas.
philanthropic foundation
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk faʊndˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
charity that gives grants
A charity organization that gives money to support causes.
Examples
- The research was funded by a philanthropic foundation.
- She set up a philanthropic foundation to support mental health services.
- Small nonprofits often apply to philanthropic foundations for grants.
philanthropic foundation
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk faʊndˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
organization that gives grants
An organization that gives money to support good causes.
Examples
- A philanthropic foundation awarded grants to community health clinics.
- They created a philanthropic foundation to manage long-term giving.
- The nonprofit partnered with a philanthropic foundation to fund research.
philanthropic giving
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk ɡˈɪvɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
donating to causes
Donating money or resources to charities.
Examples
- Philanthropic giving tends to increase after major natural disasters.
- The report tracks philanthropic giving by income group.
- They encouraged employees to participate in philanthropic giving through payroll donations.
philanthropic initiative
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk ɪnˈɪʃɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
planned charity program
A planned program to help people or support a cause.
Examples
- The university launched a philanthropic initiative to fund student housing.
- Their philanthropic initiative provided free tutoring in underserved neighborhoods.
- The board approved a new philanthropic initiative focused on disaster relief.
philanthropic organization
1/fˌɪlənθɹˈɑpɪk ˌɔɹɡənəzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
group that supports causes
A group that helps people or supports causes through charity.
Examples
- The project partnered with a philanthropic organization to expand food access.
- Several philanthropic organizations signed the joint pledge.
- She has worked for a philanthropic organization since graduating.