alms
C2Formal, Literary, Archaic, Religious
Definition
Meaning
Charitable donations of money, food, or other aid given to the poor or needy, typically motivated by religious or moral duty.
Acts of charity or mercy; aid or relief given to those in need. Historically, a specific form of giving with religious or communal significance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always treated as a plural noun in modern usage (e.g., 'alms are given'). Historically, the singular form 'alm' was used but is now obsolete. Implies a gift given out of pity or religious obligation, often small-scale and personal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. The word is equally archaic/formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes historical, biblical, or medieval contexts. In both varieties, it suggests a formal, almost ceremonial act of charity, not casual giving.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English due to historical texts, church contexts, and place names (e.g., Almshouses).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + alms (give/distribute/beg for)PREP + alms (alms to/for the poor)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “alms for oblivion (archaic/literary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious, or literary studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound archaic or intentionally literary.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The monk gave alms to the poor.
- In the old story, the king distributed alms to the villagers every week.
- Medieval pilgrims often begged for alms to fund their journeys to holy sites.
- The practice of alms-giving is considered a sacred duty in many religious traditions, symbolizing the redistribution of wealth as an act of piety.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'alms' as 'all ms' – imagine giving ALL your MS (manuscripts) away as an act of charity. Or: ALMS sounds like ARMS – you give alms with open arms.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHARITY/COMPASSION IS A GIFT (TO A HIGHER POWER/TO ONE'S SOUL).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'arms' (оружие).
- The direct translation 'милостыня' is accurate, but 'alms' is far more archaic and specific than the more general Russian 'пожертвование' (donation).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'an alm').
- Misspelling as 'arms'.
- Using it in contemporary, informal contexts where 'donation' or 'charity' is appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'alms' MOST likely to be found today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern English, it is always treated as a plural noun (e.g., 'Alms are given'). The singular form 'alm' is obsolete.
No, it would sound very odd. Use words like 'donation', 'charitable contribution', or 'philanthropy' instead.
'Alms' specifically refers to the material gift (money/food) given to the poor, often individually and motivated by religious duty. 'Charity' is a broader term encompassing the act, the virtue, and the organizations involved.
An 'almshouse' is a historic charitable housing institution for the poor, often founded centuries ago. The term survives mainly as a proper noun for such buildings.