generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈje-nə-rəs 

ˈjen-rə-

1

a

: liberal in giving : openhanded

a generous benefactor

b

: marked by abundance or ample proportions

wide overhangs and generous verandas

—Lewis Mumford

: copious

a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous nose

—Richard Zabel

c

: characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous, kindly

a generous heart

2

archaic : highborn

generously adverb

generousness noun

Synonyms

• bighearted
• bounteous
• bountiful
• charitable
• free
• freehanded
• freehearted
• fulsome
• liberal
• munificent
• open
• openhanded
• unselfish
• unsparing
• unstinting

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of generous in a Sentence

The school raised the money through donations from generous alumni.

He was generous with both his time and his money.

She has always been very generous toward the poor.

This restaurant is known for its generous portions.

a generous helping of mashed potatoes

She has a generous heart.

He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The all-suite hotel, a 2021 World's Best Awards winner, boasts a generous stretch of beachfront and mangroves and cenotes on the property. —Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2024

Best known for her zany 1990s sitcom character with the thick Queens, N.Y., accent, Drescher became one of the most powerful people in Los Angeles by holding firm, despite pressure and personal attacks, until her 160,000-member performers union won its most generous deal in decades. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2024

Filmmakers Joshua Reed and Emani Rashad Saucier, who were also part of the class of 2019, are making a documentary about how their classmates are faring thanks to that generous gift. —Lilia Luciano, CBS News, 9 June 2024

So far, the Commerce Department has announced nearly $30 billion in grants and an additional $25 billion in loans to leading chip manufacturers, along with generous tax breaks to give the sector an extra boost. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈjen-(ə-)rəs 

1

: free in giving or sharing

2

: noble entry 1 sense 5, high-minded

3

: abundant

a generous supply

generously adverb

generousness noun