IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary

    philanthropy

    nounfɪˈlænθrəpiBand 9

    Last updated 2 September 2026

    In short

    “philanthropy” is a Band 9 noun that means the practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.

    Meaning

    The practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others.

    Example sentences

    • The foundation is known for its philanthropy.
    • Corporate philanthropy has grown in recent years.

    Synonyms & antonyms

    Synonyms

    charitygenerositybenevolence

    Antonyms

    selfishnessgreed

    Collocations & common phrases

    Collocations

    corporate philanthropyact of philanthropy

    Common phrases

    a spirit of philanthropy

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    Frequently asked questions

    What does “philanthropy” mean?
    The practice of giving money and time to help improve the lives of others.
    How do you use “philanthropy” in a sentence?
    For example: “The foundation is known for its philanthropy.”
    What are some synonyms for “philanthropy”?
    Synonyms include charity, generosity, benevolence.
    Is “philanthropy” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
    Yes. It is Band 9 vocabulary, and collocations such as corporate philanthropy, act of philanthropy help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.

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