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

Rooms With floor-to-ceiling windows and great views, the 338 rooms and suites range from a cozy 230 square feet to a generous 875. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026

The living room is a real highlight in this one and looks impressively open and light-filled for a tiny house, in large part thanks to its generous glazing and high ceiling. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026

There was also a generous helping of Chrome Hearts, including custom leather pieces that speak to his taste for the extravagant and the highly collectible. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Whichever cuisine a chef chooses to articulate in Los Angeles — Mexican, Italian, Cantonese, Lebanese — there remains no more generous act in the kitchen than to marry its essence to the fruits of our farmers markets. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 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