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 of generous

• charitable
• liberal
• benevolent

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

Its uncommon width and generous footprint accommodate spaces rarely found in city townhouses, including expansive entertaining areas, multiple home offices, and an unusual amount of outdoor space. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 June 2026

First, Tyler Herro has 33 million reasons to be enthused, as in his salary for the coming season, in the final year of what was a generous contract extension offered four years ago against the Heat. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 June 2026

Here — with generous assistance from Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and an excellent Ray Liotta as players in a propulsive story about the romance and horror of being a knock-around guy — Scorsese finds momentum. —Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

Our expert take The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent business card with useful benefits, valuable rewards and a generous welcome bonus. —Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 June 2026

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