kindness

kind-ness · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

  2. 2.

    A kind act; a favor.

Forms

plural: kindnesses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    kill with kindness — to be so kind as to cause harm or discomfort
  • •
    the milk of human kindness — natural human compassion

Related words

Antonyms: cruelty, meanness, unkindness
See also: compassion, generosity, kind, kindly
Synonyms: benevolence, compassion, generosity, goodness

Etymology

From Old English gecyndnes, from gecynd ("nature, kind") + -nes ("-ness"). Related to kind and kin.