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Kindly vs Generous - What's the difference?

kindly | generous | Related terms |

Kindly is a related term of generous.


In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between kindly and generous

is that kindly is (obsolete) natural while generous is (obsolete) of noble birth.

As adjectives the difference between kindly and generous

is that kindly is having a kind personality while generous is (obsolete) of noble birth.

As an adverb kindly

is in a kind manner, out of kindness.

kindly

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Having a kind personality.
    • A kindly old man sits on the park bench every afternoon feeding pigeons.
  • * Tennyson
    • The shade by which my life was crossed has made me kindly with my kind.
  • (obsolete) Favourable; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • In soft silence shed the kindly shower.
  • * Wordsworth
    • should e'er a kindlier time ensue
  • (obsolete) natural
  • * Book of Common Prayer
    • the kindly fruits of the earth
  • * Spenser
    • an herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting
  • * L. Andrews
    • Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly for Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men.

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a kind manner, out of kindness.
    • He kindly offered to take us to the station in his car.
  • * 1900 , L. Frank Baum , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23
    • She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl.
  • in a favourable way.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 29 , author=Neil Johnston , title=Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Aguero was quick to block Hennessey's attempted clearance and the ball bounced kindly to Dzeko, who had the simplest of tasks to put City ahead.}}
  • Please; (used to make a polite request).
    • Kindly refrain from walking on the grass.
    Kindly move your car out of the front yard.
  • (US) With kind acceptance; .
    • I don't take kindly to threats.
    Aunt Daisy didn't take it kindly when we forgot her anniversary.

    Usage notes

    * (please) Kindly is used in a slightly more peremptory way than please. It is generally used to introduce a request with which the person addressed is expected to comply, and takes the edge off what would otherwise be a command. * (with kind acceptance) This sense is a ; it is usually found in questions and negative statements, as in the above example sentences.

    Synonyms

    * (in a kind manner) thoughtfully * (used to make polite requests) be so kind as to, please

    generous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Of noble birth.
  • Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous.
    • Thank you for your generous words.
  • Willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed.
    • She's been extremely generous with her winnings.
  • Large, more than ample, copious.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Related terms

    * generosity