pro bono
6 synonyms and 3 antonyms for pro bono, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Done free of charge for the public benefit, especially professional work such as legal advice given to people who cannot afford it.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Done free of charge for the public benefit, especially professional work such as legal advice given to people who cannot afford it.
“She takes on two pro bono cases a year.”
Opposites
How to Use Pro Bono
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral and standard in law, accountancy, medicine and design.
Etymology
Short for Latin pro bono publico, "for the public good".
Full origin of pro bono →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between pro bono and volunteering?
Pro bono means giving away the professional service you normally charge for, such as a lawyer drafting a will at no cost. Volunteering is any unpaid help, skilled or not. All pro bono work is voluntary, but not all volunteering is pro bono.
Is pro bono the same as no win, no fee?
No. Pro bono is free whatever the outcome. Under a no win, no fee arrangement the lawyer is paid, often generously, if the case succeeds.