Word
benefactor
Phoneticsbene·fac·tor
US/ˈbɛnəˌfæktɝ/
UK/bˈɛnɪfˌæktɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who gives money or other help to a person or an organization like a school or charity.
n. a person who confers a benefit; specifically, one who provides financial or material assistance to an individual or institution.
Examples
“The museum was built with money from a wealthy benefactor.”
“An anonymous benefactor donated five million dollars to the university to fund new medical research.”
“While the artist struggled for years in poverty, the intervention of a generous benefactor allowed him to focus entirely on his masterpiece without financial worry.”
Examples
simple
“The museum was built with money from a wealthy benefactor.”
contextual
“An anonymous benefactor donated five million dollars to the university to fund new medical research.”
complex
“While the artist struggled for years in poverty, the intervention of a generous benefactor allowed him to focus entirely on his masterpiece without financial worry.”
Usage
Often used in formal contexts or when discussing philanthropy and historical patronage.
Real-World Examples
“The Guardian, along with the Sunday Times, has broken a series of stories in recent months revealing how cash has been given to Reform and Farage personally from donors and wealthy benefactors.” “Houseago pointed to crowdfunding, grants and wealthy benefactors as possible sources of funding.” Etymology
From Middle English benefactor, borrowed from Medieval Latin benefactor (“he who bestows a favor”), from Latin benefaciō (“benefit someone”), from bene (“good”) + faciō (“do, make”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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