kindly

¹kind·ly

adjective \ˈkīn(d)-lē\

kind·li·erkind·li·est

Definition of KINDLY

1

a obsolete : natural

b archaic : lawful

2

: of an agreeable or beneficial nature : pleasant <a kindly climate>

3

: of a sympathetic or generous nature

Examples of KINDLY

1. A kindly woman helped him find his way home.
2. <brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health>

Origin of KINDLY

Middle English, from Old English cyndelīc, from cynd

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to KINDLY

Synonyms

beneficent, benevolent, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted, humane, softhearted, sympathetic, tender, tenderhearted, warmhearted

Antonyms

atrocious, barbaric, barbarous, bestial, brutal, brute, brutish, callous, cold-blooded, cruel, fiendish, hard-hearted, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, insensate, sadistic, savage, truculent, uncompassionate, unfeeling, unkind, unkindly, unsympathetic, vicious, wanton

Related Words

attentive, considerate, solicitous, thoughtful; affable, amicable, benign, companionable, comradely, cordial, friendly, genial, gentle, good, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, mild, neighborly, nice, pleasant, sweet, warm; clement, forbearing, forgiving, lenient, merciful, soft; patient, pitying, tolerant, understanding; altruistic, brotherly, charitable, freehanded, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, noble, openhearted, philanthropic (also philanthropical), selfless, unselfish, unsparing; anticruelty, cruelty-free

Near Antonyms

ironhearted, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, stonyhearted; inconsiderate, insensitive, thoughtless, uncaring, unthinking; grim, hard-boiled, harsh, heavy-handed, severe, stern, tough, unsentimental; hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, virulent; antihumanitarian, uncharitable

²kindly

adverb

Definition of KINDLY

1

a : in the normal way : naturally <old wounds which had healed kindly — American Mercury>

b : readily <did not take kindly to suggestions>

2

a : in a kind manner : sympathetically

b : as a gesture of goodwill <would take it kindly if you would put in a good word>

c : in a gracious manner : courteously <they kindly invited us along>

d : as a matter of courtesy : please <would you kindly order me a cab>

3

chiefly Southern : somewhat, kind of <it's kindly embarrassing — Walter Davis>

Examples of KINDLY

1. She always treats animals kindly.
2. They kindly offered to help us.

First Known Use of KINDLY

before 12th century

Related to KINDLY

Synonyms

considerately, courteously, graciously, well, nicely, reasonably, thoughtfully

Antonyms

discourteously, inconsiderately, thoughtlessly

Related Words

pleasantly; excusably, fairly, justifiably, validly; discreetly, judiciously, prudently, sensibly, wisely; chivalrously, decorously, deferentially, gallantly, politely, respectfully, solicitously; compassionately, humanely, kindheartedly, sweetly, sympathetically

Near Antonyms

contemptuously, disdainfully, disrespectfully, impolitely, rudely, scornfully, snootily; cruelly, heartlessly, nastily, viciously; shabbily, unfairly

Rhymes with KINDLY

finely