generosity
Americannoun
plural
generosities-
readiness or liberality in giving.
- Synonyms:
- bountifulness, munificence
- Antonyms:
- stinginess
-
freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.
- Synonyms:
- magnanimity, nobleness
- Antonyms:
- pettiness
-
a generous act.
We thanked him for his many generosities.
-
largeness or fullness; amplitude.
noun
-
willingness and liberality in giving away one's money, time, etc; magnanimity
-
freedom from pettiness in character and mind
-
a generous act
-
abundance; plenty
Usage
What does generosity mean? Generosity is the spirit and action of freely and frequently giving to others.Generosity can also refer to an overall spirit of kindness, but this is less common.Example: If there’s one thing she will be remembered for, it’s her generosity—she was extremely generous with her money, her time, and her effort.
Other Word Forms
- overgenerosity noun
- supergenerosity noun
Etymology
Origin of generosity
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English generosite, from Latin generōsitās, from generōs(us) generous + -itās -ity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a charity fundraiser started in his memory, Zeeshan was described as being known for his "kindness, generosity, and laughter touched everyone who knew him".
From BBC
The city’s generosity of spirit has humbled me and strengthened my resolve to serve well.
Greeley received a letter thanking him for his generosity, but the family felt Maggie’s sporadic years of education were sufficient for a young lady of the marriageable age of seventeen.
From Literature
“This resulted in less effective spend against a backdrop of improved competitor product offerings and continued elevated levels of market generosity,” the company said.
In the early 1980s Mr. McCartney worked on duets with Michael Jackson and, in a spirit of generosity, told him that the real money was in publishing.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
