Alms
n.kind, thoughtfulformal
What it means
Money, food, or goods given to people in need as charity.
Reach for it when describing direct material giving, especially in religious or historical contexts
Anonymous alms supplied hot meals during the cold week.
Choose between these
5- playful
handouts
informal direct distribution is being discussed critically
not when Handouts often carries contempt, undermining the dignity of voluntary giving.
- everyday
the broad practice of voluntary aid is meant
not when Charity can include institutional work rather than direct gifts.
- everyday
donations
specific contributed money or goods are the fact
not when Donations can support any cause, not necessarily people in need.
- professional
material help responds to urgent hardship
not when Relief can be public aid or services rather than voluntary gifts.
- formal
offerings
religious giving is central
not when Offerings may support worship rather than relieve poverty.
Said against
3- withholding
- avarice
- neglect
It naturally appears in
3- give alms
Several families give alms quietly throughout the year.
- alms for the poor
The collection provided alms for the poor during winter.
- receive alms
Travelers could receive alms at the monastery gate.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun sense: charitable gifts for people in need opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.