IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
philanthropy
noun/fɪˈlænθrəpi/Band 9
Last updated 21 July 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
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “The foundation is known for its philanthropy.”
- “Corporate philanthropy has grown in recent years.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
charitygenerositybenevolence
Antonyms
selfishnessgreed
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
corporate philanthropyact of philanthropy
Common phrases
a spirit of philanthropy
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
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.
Next step
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