ˈcharəd.əbəl, -rətəb- also -er- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Old French, from charité charity + -ité -ity — more at charity
1. : exhibiting the virtue of Christian love : full of love and goodwill for others : benevolent , kindly
2.
a. : practicing or showing charity : generous in assistance to the poor
a man charitable to all in need
b. : of, for, or relating to charity
charitable gifts
: having the quality of charity
a charitable impulse
money spent for charitable purposes
: administering charity
charitable institutions
3. : liberal in judging others : inclined to look on the best side and to avoid harsh judgment
it is more charitable to suspend judgment — Ellen Glasgow
: arising from or dictated by kindness
a charitable interpretation of his actions
• char·i·ta·ble·ness -bəlnə̇s noun -es
• char·i·ta·bly -əblē, -li adverb