generous

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

Definition of generous

1 archaic :highborn

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

a generous heart

b :liberal in giving :openhanded

a generous benefactor

c :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

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generously

adverb

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generousness

noun

See generous defined for English-language learners

See generous defined for kids

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 of generous from the Web

Each driver was generous, good-natured and wonderfully helpful.

— seattle times readers, The Seattle Times, "Rant & Rave: A shout-out to Metro bus drivers and a rant about panhandlers," 25 Aug. 2017
After accepting the Yale offers, which hinged on the Ivy League school's generous financial aid package, the boys maintained some structure over the summer through jobs and internships.

— malaika jabali, Essence.com, "Black Excellence: These Quadruplet Brothers Are All Headed To Yale This Fall," 22 Aug. 2017
Complete the project by applying a generous coating of butcher-block oil to the crank arm and paddle assembly.

— james schadewald, Popular Mechanics, "Make Your Own Ice-Cream Maker," 4 Aug. 2017
There are no salary caps, and revenue sharing between teams is less generous or non-existent.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "How Can You Rationalize Spending $500 Million on a Soccer Player?," 4 Aug. 2017
India responded with a generous new aid package of its own.

— The Economist, "One Lifebelt, One RoadChina makes Pakistan an offer it cannot refuse," 22 July 2017
As if the pics weren't enough, the very generous Nicki also treated us to a video of her verse from the Katy Perry's collab, Swish Swish.

— laura beck, Cosmopolitan, "Nicki Minaj's Boobs Are Straight Outta Control In These Stunning New Photos," 22 July 2017
As far as charitable giving goes, the U.S. is a very generous country.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Crowdfunding - Ask where the money goes," 19 July 2017
This allows the West to appear generous, not imperialist.

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "Imperialism by Family Planning," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'generous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of generous

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

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First Known Use: 1583

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generous Synonyms

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

GENEROUS Defined for English Language Learners

generous

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adjective

Definition of generous for English Language Learners

: 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

GENEROUS Defined for Kids

generous

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

Definition of generous for Students

1 :freely giving or sharing

She was generous with her time.

2 :providing more than enough of what is needed :abundant

a generous supply

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generously

adverb

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for generous Spanish Central: Translation of generous Nglish: Translation of generous for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of generous for Arabic speakers

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generous

Definition of generous

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generousness

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Examples of generous in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of generous

generous Synonyms

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GENEROUS Defined for English Language Learners

generous

Definition of generous for English Language Learners

GENEROUS Defined for Kids

generous

Definition of generous for Students

generously

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