A benefactor is a person who helps a person or organization by giving them money.
In his old age he became a benefactor of the arts. [+ of]
Synonyms: supporter, friend, champion, defender More Synonyms of benefactor
benefactor in British English
(ˈbɛnɪˌfæktə, ˌbɛnɪˈfæk-)
noun
a person who supports or helps a person, institution, etc, esp by giving money; patron
Derived forms
benefactress (ˈbeneˌfactress)
feminine noun
benefactor in American English
(ˈbɛnəˌfæktər)
noun
a person who has given help, esp. financial help; patron
Word origin
ME < LL: see benefaction
COBUILD Collocations
benefactor
generous benefactor
Examples of 'benefactor' in a sentence
benefactor
The manager would be forgiven for wondering what kind of billionaire benefactor he is working for.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Wealthy benefactors had signalled their readiness to pay for her release.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
So who exactly are our new wealthy benefactors?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Unless another rich benefactor was found the club would go under.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They match rich benefactors with suitable projects.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The house was invariably crammed with rich benefactors and potential donors.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It would be especially good if they had a celebration of the birth of their great benefactor.
Christianity Today (2000)
The family has been a generous benefactor to charity.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The second part of the name honours an anonymous benefactor of the research team.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
An anonymous benefactor has pledged to match all funds raised.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The days of the club being owned by a wealthy local benefactor have been surpassed by billionaire owners from around the globe.
The Sun (2011)
He was born in Genoa and a wealthy benefactor helped him to pursue his studies.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was one of the country's most colourful businessmen and generous benefactors.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Anonymous benefactor offers 20,000 reward for information.
The Sun (2011)
An anonymous benefactor pledged 10,000 to pay her international student fees.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Trustees were walking a tightrope by striving to curb profiteering while keeping generous benefactors happy, she added.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
As long as his team are performing, there will be little pressure from fans for a takeover from a rich benefactor.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
I'm just looking for a pretty generous benefactor to make it happen.
The Sun (2010)
In the programme, rich benefactors say goodbye to their luxury lifestyles and go undercover in deprived areas to find organisations that need their help.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Indeed, the latter is now one of the academy's most generous benefactors.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The emergence of the mystery benefactor came'out of the blue '.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was a generous benefactor to oncology research in the UK and abroad, and directly funded many medical students.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
benefactor
British English: benefactor NOUN
A benefactor is a person who helps a person or organization by giving them money.
In his old age he became a benefactor of the arts.
American English: benefactor
Brazilian Portuguese: benfeitor
Chinese: 捐助人
European Spanish: bienhechor
French: bienfaiteur
German: Wohltäter
Italian: benefattore
Japanese: 後援者
Korean: 후원자
European Portuguese: benfeitor
Latin American Spanish: bienhechor
(noun)
Definition
a person who supports a person or institution by giving money
In his old age he became a benefactor of the arts.
Synonyms
supporter
a major supporter of the tax reform plan
friend
the Friends of Birmingham Royal Ballet
champion
He received acclaim as a champion of the oppressed.
defender
a strong defender of human rights
sponsor
the new sponsors of the world championships
angel (informal)
patron
Catherine the Great was a patron of the arts and sciences.
promoter
Aaron Copland was a most energetic promoter of American music.
contributor
He is the institute's leading financial contributor and is active in fund-raising.
backer
I was looking for a backer to assist me in the attempted buy-out.
helper
Younger children may need a helper.
subsidizer
philanthropist
He is a philanthropist and patron of the arts.
upholder
well-wisher
Additional synonyms
in the sense of backer
Definition
a person who gives financial or other support
I was looking for a backer to assist me in the attempted buy-out.
Synonyms
supporter,
second,
ally,
angel (informal),
patron,
promoter,
subscriber,
underwriter,
helper,
benefactor
in the sense of champion
Definition
someone who defends a person or cause
He received acclaim as a champion of the oppressed.
Synonyms
defender,
guardian,
patron,
backer,
protector,
upholder,
vindicator
in the sense of contributor
He is the institute's leading financial contributor and is active in fund-raising.