kindly

1 of 2

adjective

kind·​ly ˈkīn(d)-lē 

kindlier; kindliest

1

: of a sympathetic or generous nature

2

: of an agreeable or beneficial nature : pleasant

a kindly climate

3

a

obsolete : natural

b

archaic : lawful

kindly

2 of 2

adverb

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

At Pisa he saw something both of Trelawny and of Byron, who took to him kindly …

—Sidney Colvin

b

: in the normal way : naturally

… old wounds which had healed kindly …

— H. L. Hunt

3

chiefly Southern US : somewhat, kind of

It's kindly embarrassing.

—Walter Davis

see also:

take kindly to

Synonyms of kindly

Adjective

• kind
• compassionate
• benevolent
• sympathetic
• thoughtful
• gracious
• gentle
• nice

Adverb

• nicely
• thoughtfully
• reasonably
• graciously
• politely
• courteously
• considerately

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

Adjective

After several years in theater, Duvall got his film break when he was cast as the kindly, misunderstood outsider Boo Radley in the Oscar-winning 1962 adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird. —Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026

Involving America’s kindly neighbors to the north? —Sean Gregory, Time, 16 Feb. 2026

Adverb

All the magazines are kindly provided by Reading Room. —Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026

On our first trip, the groundskeepers at the family-friendly Caribe Hilton kindly looked the other way when my neurodivergent child climbed over a barricade to get a closer look at a snapping turtle. —Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English cyndelīc, from cynd

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing kindly

• look kindly on/upon
• take kindly to

Rhymes for kindly

• blindly
• designedly
• resignedly
• unkindly

Kids 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 adverb

1

: 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