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

At work, that can be an effective way to share success stories and build a reputation as someone who is not only funny, but generous in sharing what worked. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

The sets are more generous in size so sleeping in these might be akin to swimming in a pool of soft decadence. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025

The Roomba j9+ is currently on sale with a generous discount of $499. —Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 15 May 2025

Joel Edgerton, who stars as the boys’ generous but out-of-his-depth coach in terms of dealing with unruly and toxic boys, initially received the script from Polinger’s agent and wanted to direct it. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for generous

• ungenerous

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