kindly

1 of 2

adjective

kind·​ly ˈkīn(d)-lē How to pronounce kindly (audio)
kindlier; kindliest
1
: of a sympathetic or generous nature
2
: of an agreeable or beneficial nature : pleasant
a kindly climate
3
a
obsolete : natural
b
archaic : lawful

kindly

2 of 2

adverb

1
a
: in a kind manner : sympathetically
b
: as a gesture of goodwill
would take it kindly if you would put in a good word
: in an appreciative manner
She didn't respond kindly to the suggestion.
c
: in a gracious manner : courteously
they kindly invited us along
d
: as a matter of courtesy : please
would you kindly order me a cab
2
a
dated : readily
But he had his gravelled walks, his poets' avenue of yews, that grew kindly, his sundials with their graceful and melancholy admonitions, …Francis Brett Young
At Pisa he saw something both of Trelawny and of Byron, who took to him kindlySidney Colvin
b
: in the normal way : naturally
old wounds which had healed kindlyAmer. Mercury
3
chiefly Southern US : somewhat, kind of
it's kindly embarrassingWalter Davis

see also take kindly to

Examples of kindly in a Sentence

Adjective A kindly woman helped him find his way home. brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health Adverb She always treats animals kindly. They kindly offered to help us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense. Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024 While Cottin, largely unknown to American audiences, is inscrutable in the best way, her stern exterior belying her kindly heart. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2023 The kindly doctor suggested three medicines: a dietary supplement, a new birth control containing drospirenone, and a pill called spironolactone. S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2023 The guilelessness is genuine: Stewart in person is Picard and Xavier in their kindliest, most compassionate moments. WIRED, 3 Oct. 2023 Our first stop is Beckett’s early childhood in suburban Dublin, where the young lad’s love of poetry and lyrical thinking is nurtured by his kindly father William (Barry O’Connor) and challenged by his gorgon-like mother May (Lisa Dwyer Hogg). Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Oct. 2023 Woolery’s actors dutifully make their way through the text (Chatmon’s Antonio and Susan Lin’s kindly adviser, Gonzalo, in particular have an ear for its rhythms), but the overall progress feels tentative, the territory underexplored. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2023 Wounded during his escape from that Sicilian estate, McCall is treated by a kindly doctor (Remo Girone) and spends several weeks recuperating in the quaint town of Altomonte. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2023 Yet Trump, the unwise wise guy, will eventually face less kindly examiners. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2023
Adverb
Hungary, the last member to join the alliance before Finland and Sweden applied, did not look kindly on admitting a country that regularly criticized the Hungarian government and its prime minister, Viktor Orbán. Peter Aitken, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2024 If ‘hey-hanging’ has already transpired within an organization, employers should be transparent in their communication and kindly, not sternly, remind employees of the importance of collaboration and respect towards others. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 And when your wife brushes off your lofty musings, definitely deliver a kindly fib. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 There are no monsters here — even Hilde’s Nazi guards treat her kindly and complain about the injustice of her trial — only flawed ordinary people, some braver than others. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 Their defense is still a work in progress, to put it kindly. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2024 When his friend Eloise (Phylicia Rashad), a kindly mother figure who has been scammed by a phishing operation that drains the accounts of elderly shut-ins, takes her own life, Adam proceeds to burn the call center to the ground. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2024 Juxtaposed with Trump’s brash New York attitude and reputation as a ruthless businessman with a nose for deals and a willingness to stick a knife in a friend or foe to gain an advantage, Joe Biden has positioned himself as a kindly grandfather figure willing to meet his political rivals halfway. Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2023 In Los Angeles, Dominguez said she was motivated to bring information to her community by the death of her friend Angel Vasquez, a kindly jokester who lived near Paloma Market. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kindly.' 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

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English cyndelīc, from cynd

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of kindly was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near kindly

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

kindly

1 of 2 adjective
kind·​ly ˈkīn-(d)lē How to pronounce kindly (audio)
kindlier; kindliest
1
: pleasant or wholesome in nature
a kindly climate
2
: of a sympathetic or generous nature
kindly men
kindliness noun

kindly

2 of 2 adverb
1
: in a willing manner
does not take kindly to criticism
2
a
: in a kind manner
treat animals kindly
b
: in an appreciative manner
I would take it kindly if you would put in a good word for us
c
: in an obliging manner
they kindly asked us to go along
d
: as a matter of courtesy : please
kindly pass the salt

More from Merriam-Webster on kindly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!