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Public-spirited

adj. kind, hopeful warm

What it means

Motivated to improve community life and willing to contribute to the common good.

Reach for it when praising civic-minded action that benefits people beyond one's private circle

Public-spirited shopkeepers funded benches and shade trees along the high street.

Words to choose between 6

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
warm
professional
formal

  • everyday

    good citizen

    Fits when accessible praise links conduct with civic responsibility

    Careful Good citizen can sound moralizing and may reward conformity rather than service.

  • warm

    community-minded

    Suits a practical orientation toward neighbors and shared needs

    Careful Community-minded is broader and may describe supportive attitudes rather than action.

  • warm

    neighborly

    Suits direct, friendly help among people who live near one another

    Careful Neighborly is personal and local, not necessarily civic in scale.

  • professional

    civic-minded

    Fits when active concern for local institutions and community duties is central

    Careful Civic-minded can focus on participation without personal generosity.

  • professional

    socially responsible

    Fits when conduct accounts for wider social consequences

    Careful Socially responsible often describes organizations and can include compliance rather than initiative.

  • formal

    altruistic

    Fits if concern for others is pursued without expected personal gain

    Careful Altruistic applies beyond public life and makes a strong claim about motive.

Opposites 3

  • self-serving
  • antisocial
  • civically indifferent

Common phrases 3

  • public-spirited citizen

    A public-spirited citizen organized rides to every council hearing.

  • public-spirited gesture

    Opening the courtyard for free concerts was a public-spirited gesture.

  • public-spirited initiative

    The public-spirited initiative matched retired tutors with local students.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated