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Pro bono

proh BOH-noh /ˌproʊ ˈboʊnoʊ/

adjectiveadverbC1

formallegal

Denoting work undertaken for the public good without charge, especially legal work.

This term specifically refers to professional services (most commonly legal, but also medical, consulting, etc.) offered voluntarily and free of charge to those who cannot afford them, or to organizations working for the public interest.

The story behind the word. The phrase 'pro bono' is a shortened form of the Latin 'pro bono publico,' which means 'for the public good.' It's a direct import from Latin into English, particularly in legal contexts, to describe professional work performed voluntarily and without payment as a public service.

Word relationships

Voluntary: Broader, can apply to any unpaid work, not just professional services.
Unpaid: Simply means no payment, lacks the 'public good' connotation.

For-profit: Undertaken with the aim of making money.
Paid: Receiving payment for work.

Commonly confused with

Volunteer: Pro bono specifically refers to professional services offered for free; 'volunteer' is a broader term for anyone offering time or effort without pay, regardless of skill level.

Collocations

pro bono legal work
pro bono services
do pro bono
offer pro bono
pro bono client

Example sentences

"The law firm dedicated a significant portion of its time to pro bono cases, assisting low-income clients with their legal needs." Describing a lawyer's charitable work.
"She offered her graphic design services pro bono to help the struggling animal shelter create a compelling fundraising campaign." Explaining a designer's contribution to a non-profit.

Memory hook

Think 'PRO' (professional) 'BONO' (good) – professional work for the good of others. For the public good

When not to use

Don't use 'pro bono' for general volunteering or unskilled labor. It's reserved for professional services given freely.

Fun facts

While most commonly associated with legal aid, 'pro bono' services are increasingly offered by professionals in other fields like marketing, accounting, and consulting.
Many bar associations encourage or require lawyers to perform a certain number of pro bono hours each year.

Related words

Volunteer, Altruism, Benefactor

Explore more words

public good, volunteerism, altruism, altruistic, philanthropic, nonpartisan