philanthropist

noun

phi·​lan·​thro·​pist fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pist 

: one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare : a person who practices philanthropy

Did you know?

The Greek root of philanthropy may be literally translated as "loving people." The English word can refer to general goodwill to one's fellow people, as well as to the active effort to promote the welfare of people, but in modern use it is most often used to refer specifically to the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for others. A person who practices philanthropy is called a philanthropist; the term philanthrope was formerly used with the same meaning, but it is now considered archaic.

Examples of philanthropist in a Sentence

Among his converts was Arthur Tappan, a New York textile merchant and philanthropist who sheltered and guided the development of the antislavery movement through its long early years by dint of sheer openhandedness. —Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005

John D. was indisputably a great philanthropist. He took care of his family first, of course; but he founded the University of Chicago in 1892, the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in 1901, and the Rockefeller Foundation in 1911, and made other substantial gifts along the way. —Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 23 Dec. 2002

You had to admire it and admire the man, who sat now like a benign locust, his slender insectile body swamped in a black leather chair, leaning over the desk, all smiles, a parasite disguised as a philanthropist. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000

… a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist in Hartsdale named Henry J. Gaisman donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. —Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Clinton’s ensemble for the Common Sense Summit on Kids and Families was fairly understated, the longtime politician and philanthropist previously used her sartorial prowess to send certain messages to the public. —Julia Teti, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025

Settlement houses can seek government contracts to deliver social services and raise funds from the community, as well as the wide network of philanthropists and donors who want to provide on-the-ground, direct aid. —Rich Baum, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025

Especially if a Silicon Valley philanthropist is willing to throw in millions of dollars. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025

Notable guests like philanthropist Laura Wasserman and former Oprah producer Charles Cook laughed — and cried — as talent agent Charles Silver shared fond memories of Rivers' late parents Joan Rivers and Edgar Rosenberg. —Gillian Telling, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see philanthropy

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined above