Meaning & use
a charity
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Meanings
nouncountable
An organization that helps people in need or supports a cause, usually using money given by the public.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a charity' for one, 'charities' for more than one. Often followed by 'for': a charity for homeless people.
Patterns
- a charity for someone
- give to a charity
- support a charity
- a charity event
She donates money to a charity for children every month.
The concert raised funds for a local charity.
He works for a charity that helps refugees.
noununcountable
The act of giving money, food, or help to people who need it; generosity.
Grammar: Uncountable; used without 'a' or 'an': 'an act of charity'. Do not say 'a charity' for this meaning.
Patterns
- an act of charity
- give to charity
- out of charity
They gave generously to charity during the holidays.
It was an act of charity to help the stranger.
Word forms
| plural | charities |
|---|
Common combinations
- charity event
- The school held a charity event to buy books.
- charity shop
- I bought this coat at a charity shop.
- donate to charity
- Many people donate to charity at the end of the year.
- charity begins at home
- She believes charity begins at home, so she helps her family first.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nonprofit
- An organization that does not aim to make a profit; 'charity' often focuses on helping those in need.
- good cause
- A phrase for an organization or effort worth supporting; less formal than 'charity'.
- aid organization
- A group that provides help, often in emergencies; 'charity' is broader and can include local groups.
Word family
- charitable adjective
- Generous in giving help or money; also describes organizations that help others.
- charitably adverb
- In a kind and generous way.
Commonly confused: a charity or clarity?
a charity vs clarity
Clarity means being clear and easy to understand; charity means helping those in need.
Practice
Every winter, our family gives money to ______ that helps the homeless.
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs a countable noun for an organization: 'a charity'. 'Charity' without 'a' is uncountable and means the act of giving, 'clarity' means being clear, and 'charitable' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a charity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.