donation
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for donation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something given freely, usually money or goods, to support a cause or help someone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use donation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin donatio, "a gift," from donare, "to give."
Full origin of donation →Frequently asked questions
What does “donation” mean?
The word “donation” means something given freely, usually money or goods, to support a cause or help someone. In plain terms, a gift, usually of money, made to help a person, charity, or cause.
How do you pronounce “donation”?
“Donation” is pronounced doh-NAY-shuhn (/doʊˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “donation” in a sentence?
Here is “donation” used in a sentence: “The charity relies on public donations to fund its work.”
What part of speech is “donation”?
“Donation” is a noun.
Where does the word “donation” come from?
The word “donation” comes from Latin. From Latin donatio, "a gift," from donare, "to give.".
Is “donation” a common word?
“Donation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a donation and a gift?
Both are given freely, but a donation supports a cause, charity, or public purpose, while a gift is usually personal, given to an individual out of affection or custom. Tax systems often treat charitable donations differently from personal gifts, which is why the distinction matters on official forms.
What is the difference between a donation and a contribution?
A contribution is anything given as a share toward a larger effort — money, time, or ideas — and the word is neutral. A donation is specifically something given freely to support a cause or help someone, typically money or goods, and implies charity rather than obligation.
Is it "make a donation" or "give a donation"?
Both are grammatical, but "make a donation" is the standard collocation in formal and charity contexts. In everyday speech, the verb "donate" on its own is often the most natural choice: "donate ten pounds" rather than "give a donation of ten pounds".
Does a donation have to be money?
No. A donation is anything given freely to support a cause or help someone — commonly money, but also goods, food, or clothing, and the word extends to blood donation and organ donation. What defines a donation is that it is given freely, not what is given.