1
a
: in a kind manner : sympathetically
b
: as a gesture of goodwill
would take it kindly if you would put in a good word
: in an appreciative manner
She didn't respond kindly to the suggestion.
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
2
a
dated
: readily
But he had his gravelled walks, his poets' avenue of yews, that grew kindly, his sundials with their graceful and melancholy admonitions, …—
Francis Brett Young
Francis Brett YoungAt Pisa he saw something both of Trelawny and of Byron, who took to him kindly …—Sidney Colvin
Sidney Colvin
b
: in the normal way : naturally
old wounds which had healed kindly—Amer. Mercury
Amer. Mercurysee also take kindly to
Examples of kindly in a Sentence
Adjective
A kindly woman helped him find his way home.
brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health
Adverb
She always treats animals kindly.
They kindly offered to help us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
The cast includes Stephen Merchant as the voice of the mouse, Kristen Wiig as a scenery-chewing evil aunt, and Jim Broadbent as a kindly but clueless king.
—EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
On a roster that has – to put it kindly – struggled to generate any sort of watchable or reliable offense with Curry sidelined, Kuminga has been a revelation.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Eventually, Billy tries to warn the foster care headquarters, managed by a kindly woman named Wendy (Sally-Anne Upton), that Laura is trying to sabotage Billy.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
The cast includes Stephen Merchant as the voice of the mouse, Kristen Wiig as a scenery-chewing evil aunt, and Jim Broadbent as a kindly but clueless king.
—EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Adverb
The 2025 season did not start off too kindly for Scheffler.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
On a roster that has – to put it kindly – struggled to generate any sort of watchable or reliable offense with Curry sidelined, Kuminga has been a revelation.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
Cite this Entry
“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindly. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kindly
1 of 2 adjective
kind·ly
ˈkīn-(d)lē 
kindlier; kindliest
1
: pleasant or wholesome in nature
a kindly climate
2
: of a sympathetic or generous nature
kindly men
kindliness
noun
kindly
2 of 2 adverb1
: in a willing manner
does not take kindly to criticism
2
a
: in a kind manner
treat animals kindly
b
: in an appreciative manner
I would take it kindly if you would put in a good word for us
c
: in an obliging manner
they kindly asked us to go along
d
: as a matter of courtesy : please
kindly pass the salt
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