generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈje-nə-rəs How to pronounce generous (audio)
ˈjen-rə-
1
a
: liberal in giving : openhanded
a generous benefactor
b
: marked by abundance or ample proportions
wide overhangs and generous verandasLewis Mumford
: copious
a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous noseRichard Zabel
c
: characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous, kindly
a generous heart
2
archaic : highborn
generously adverb
generousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for generous

liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly.

liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Examples of generous in a Sentence

The school raised the money through donations from generous alumni. He was generous with both his time and his money. She has always been very generous toward the poor. This restaurant is known for its generous portions. a generous helping of mashed potatoes She has a generous heart. He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers.
Recent Examples on the Web Spears’s olive branch felt generous — an opportunity for Timberlake to begin the promotion of his comeback album without the aura of villainy. Lindsay Zoladz, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 She was known to be a generous and compassionate person, Worthy said. Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 The generous layout includes seven cabins that can collectively sleep up to 14 guests and an elevator that allows seafarers to easily access all levels. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 On the 30th anniversary of the Canadian star’s death, fellow actors remembered him as a generous collaborator and friend. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 With April 8’s total solar eclipse right around the corner, businesses are ready for the celestial event that will dim skies along a generous path across North America. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Key Ingredients: Ceramides, beta-glucan, magnesium Best For: Dry, sensitive, and irritated skin How to Use: After cleansing, apply a generous amount to hands and pat it onto face, neck, and décolleté. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 This two-story home provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and three baths. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'generous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of generous was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near generous

Cite this Entry

“Generous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generous. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

generous

adjective
gen·​er·​ous ˈjen-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce generous (audio)
1
: free in giving or sharing
2
3
: abundant
a generous supply
generously adverb
generousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on generous

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