generosity

gen-er-os-i-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The quality of being willing to give money, help, or time freely; the act of being generous.

  2. 2.

    Kindness and willingness to forgive; magnanimity.

  3. 3.

    The quality of being larger or more plentiful than usual.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    generosity of spirit — a kind and forgiving nature
  • •
    act of generosity — a generous deed
  • •
    show generosity — to demonstrate a giving nature

Related words

Antonyms: meanness, selfishness, stinginess
See also: benevolence, charity, generous, kindness
Synonyms: benevolence, kindness, liberality, magnanimity

Etymology

From Latin generositas ("nobility of birth, excellence"), from generosus ("of noble birth, magnanimous"). The modern sense of liberal giving developed from the idea that nobility involved liberality.