generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈje-nə-rəs How to pronounce generous (audio)
ˈjen-rə-
1
a
: liberal in giving : openhanded
a generous benefactor
b
: marked by abundance or ample proportions
wide overhangs and generous verandasLewis Mumford
: copious
a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous noseRichard Zabel
c
: characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous, kindly
a generous heart
2
archaic : highborn
generously adverb
generousness noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What makes the piece notable is its exhaustive, generous attention to what might seem—to some—a frivolous subject. Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 While most grocery store cakes are quarter-sheet cakes, Costco's is a generous half-sheet cake, so it's definitely meant to feed a crowd. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 3 May 2025 There were also bad times: producers turned against Channel 4 after the pandemic as programming budgets were slashed and communication became fractured, to be generous. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 May 2025 Molina presented herself as a successful entrepreneur, cultured and generous, and never hesitated to shower Ana with praise. Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for generous

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of generous was in 1574

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generous. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

generous

adjective
gen·​er·​ous ˈjen-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce generous (audio)
1
: free in giving or sharing
2
3
: abundant
a generous supply
generously adverb
generousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on generous

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