kindness

noun

kind·​ness ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being kind

treating people with kindness and respect

2

: a kind deed : favor

They did me a great kindness.

3

archaic : affection

Synonyms of kindness

• tenderness
• generosity
• humaneness
• attentiveness
• warmth
• benevolence
• beneficence
• kindliness
• kindheartedness
• tenderheartedness

Examples of kindness in a Sentence

We thanked her for her many kindnesses.

You would be doing me a great kindness if you agreed to help.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dog — roughly 88 lbs and 4 years old — responded to the mascot's kindness by happily playing with the costumed person, gleefully jumping on the character, and even rolling around on the ground with him. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025

An involved student ‘who radiated kindness’ Ella Cook, 19, was the other student who was fatally shot Saturday, according to Paxson and her church in her Alabama hometown of Mountain Brook. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025

Thanks to the incredible kindness of a stranger, a little girl from Westland, Michigan, has a whole new outlook on life. —Elle Meyers, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025

Among happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky's tips for finding joy are having deep conversations, showing gratitude and performing acts of kindness. —Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kindness

• kill (someone) with kindness
• loving-kindness
• milk of human kindness
• out of the kindness of one's heart
• the milk of human kindness

Rhymes for kindness

• blindness
• unkindness

Kids Definition

kindness

noun

kind·​ness ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

1

: a kind deed : favor

returned his kindness

2

: the quality or state of being kind

treat others with kindness