benefactor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "benefactor" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can refer to a person who provides financial help or makes a donation, especially to a charity or institution. For example, "The school received a generous donation from its benefactor, who wished to remain anonymous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Transfield Holdings was a founding member and benefactor of the festival.

The Guardian

Mainstream Chinese society holds economic growth and social stability as sacrosanct, and many mainlanders wonder why a city which benefits tremendously from its mainland ties would turn on its most important benefactor.

The Guardian

Wigan, like Bournemouth, had a generous benefactor, though throwing masses of money at anything is not in Dave Whelan's character.

The Guardian - Sport

Established over 100 years ago, when a rich benefactor provided East End locals with free wheelbarrows from which to trade, the Barras Market (aka The Barrowlands) is now populated with a wonderful cross-section of Glasgow society.

The Guardian - Travel

"Equally appalling is the fact that the board of the Biennale, apparently under pressure from certain individual artists, has decided to decline to accept funding from a generous benefactor, because of the political opinion of those individual artists, concerning a matter which has nothing to do with the Sydney Biennale," Brandis wrote.

The Guardian

They've been travelling like busteds, as they say, with the news that their magnificent benefactor Nathan Tinkler has been late with their salaries yet again.

The Guardian - Sport

Unable to find a benefactor, Donovan had little option but to auction off his entire collection, including the wolf.

The Guardian

"Artists like everybody else are entitled to voice their political opinions, but I view with deep concern the effective blackballing of a benefactor, implicit in this decision, merely because of its commercial arrangements".

The Guardian

Here he had organised for 10 local party barons, eight of them Labour, to shake hands with their new benefactor and patron, Osborne.

The Guardian

Riveting Victorian crime drama Ripper Street was saved from the axe by a rich benefactor earlier this year, and on 14 November, Amazon Prime subscribers will finally get to see series three of the show they couldn't hang.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To add to the controversy, the building was paid for with a £15m ($25m) donation from Wafic Saïd, the benefactor after whom the business school is named.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "benefactor", be specific about the nature of their contribution and the impact it has. This adds clarity and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "benefactor" for minor acts of kindness. The term typically implies significant financial or material support.

Linguistic Context

The word "benefactor" functions primarily as a noun, identifying an individual or entity that provides aid, often financial, to another. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "benefactor" is a grammatically correct noun frequently used to describe someone providing significant aid, particularly financial, to another entity. Ludwig AI confirms this and that examples across various sources, particularly news and formal business settings, indicate a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "donor", "patron", and "sponsor" exist, "benefactor" implies a substantial and often altruistic contribution. Remember to use "benefactor" appropriately for significant acts of support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

donor

Focuses specifically on the act of giving, usually in the form of money or goods.

philanthropist

Specifically refers to someone who donates to charitable causes on a large scale.

patron

Implies a more sustained and involved form of support, often for the arts or a specific cause.

sponsor

Suggests a formal agreement to provide financial or other support, often in exchange for recognition.

supporter

A more general term indicating someone who provides help or encouragement.

humanitarian

Highlights the compassionate and altruistic nature of the support provided.

contributor

Emphasizes the act of giving something, whether it's money, time, or resources.

angel investor

Specifically refers to an investor who provides capital for startups.

guardian angel

Highlights the protective and supportive nature of the support provided.

sugar daddy

An informal term that describes a wealthy person who provides financial assistance to a younger person in exchange for companionship or intimacy.

FAQs

How to use "benefactor" in a sentence?

You can use "benefactor" to describe someone who provides significant help or donations, especially to a charity or organization. For example: "The museum is grateful to its generous benefactor."

What can I say instead of "benefactor"?

You can use alternatives like "donor", "patron", or "sponsor" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "benefactor" or "beneficiary"?

"Benefactor" refers to someone who gives help or donations, while "beneficiary" refers to someone who receives help or benefits. The terms have opposite meanings.

What's the difference between "benefactor" and "sponsor"?

While both provide support, a "sponsor" often receives something in return, such as advertising or recognition. A "benefactor" typically gives out of altruism without expecting direct compensation.