Philanthropist
/fɪˈlænθrəpɪst/
Definitions
A person who donates time or money to help others.
/fɪˈlænθrəpɪst/
A person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes.
Andrew Carnegie was a famous philanthropist who funded libraries across the United States.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who's super generous and loves helping people, especially by giving away money or time to good causes. They're like the superhero of kindness, always trying to make the world a better place. For example, that billionaire who built the new children's hospital is a philanthropist!
👶 For kids: A philanthropist is someone who likes to help people, like giving money or toys to people who need them.
More Examples
The tech mogul has become a major philanthropist, donating millions to education and research.
The city honored the philanthropist for his generous contributions to local charities.
How It's Used
"The foundation was created by a well-known philanthropist."
"Many successful entrepreneurs later become philanthropists, giving back to their communities."
Idioms & expressions
philanthropic endeavors
Actions or projects undertaken to promote the welfare of others.
"The company's philanthropic endeavors include supporting local schools and hospitals."
a generous philanthropist
A philanthropist who is known for giving large sums of money or other resources to good causes.
"The community praised the generous philanthropist for their consistent support of the arts."
From Greek *philanthrōpos* (lover of humanity), from *philos* (loving) + *anthrōpos* (human being). The word entered English in the 17th century, initially referring to someone who acted with general benevolence, later becoming associated with charitable giving.
The term 'philanthropist' gained prominence during the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the context of industrial magnates and their charitable activities.
Memory tip
Think of 'philo' (love) + 'anthrop' (human) + 'ist' (one who). A philanthropist loves humanity and shows it through actions.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: *philanthrōpos*