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.

free

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

unpaid voluntary charitable

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

for free gratis

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.”

free unpaid voluntary charitable

Opposites

paid billable commercial

2. adverb

Without charging a fee.

“He agreed to represent the tenants pro bono.”

for free gratis

How to use pro bono

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

pro bono work pro bono case pro bono representation take it on pro bono

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.

People also searched

free paid commercial voluntary charitable unpaid for free billable gratis

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of pro bono