generous

gen-er-ous · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Willing to give more of something, especially money or time, than is necessary or expected.

  2. 2.

    Kind and forgiving; showing magnanimity.

  3. 3.

    Larger or more plentiful than usual or expected.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    generous to a fault — so generous it could be considered a weakness
  • •
    generous spirit — a kind and giving nature
  • •
    generous offer — a particularly good or liberal proposal

Related words

Antonyms: mean, miserly, selfish, stingy
See also: charitable, generosity, kind, liberal
Synonyms: benevolent, giving, liberal, magnanimous

Etymology

From Latin generosus ("of noble birth, magnanimous"), from genus ("birth, race, kind"). Originally meant "of noble lineage"; the sense of being liberal in giving developed from the association of nobility with magnanimity.