generous

adjective gen·er·ous \ˈjen-rəs, ˈje-nə-\

: freely giving or sharing money and other valuable things

: providing more than the amount that is needed or normal : abundant or ample

: showing kindness and concern for others

Full Definition of GENEROUS

archaic : highborn

a : characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous

b : liberal in giving <a generous benefactor>

c : marked by abundance or ample proportions <wide overhangs and generous verandas — Lewis Mumford>

— gen·er·ous·ly adverb

— gen·er·ous·ness noun

See generous defined for English-language learners

See generous defined for kids

Origin of GENEROUS

Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus

First Known Use: 1583

Related to GENEROUS

Synonyms: bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, liberal, munificent, open, openhanded, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting

Antonyms: cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal [archaic], mingy, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous

Synonym Discussion of GENEROUS

liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>.

GENEROUSNESS Defined for Kids