adjective
generous
JEN-er-us/ˈdʒenərəs/
Ready to give freely beyond strict obligation.
The generous host ladles an ample extra helping of soup into the guest's bowl.
Etymology
The reference to family stock originally described someone of noble birth. Nobility then described character rather than ancestry, yielding magnanimity and an unselfish willingness to give.
In context
make a generous and ungrudging contribution of time talent and treasure
More examples
- She is generous with her time, helping new employees settle in.
- A generous donor paid for the school's new instruments.
- It's generous of you to offer us a place to stay.
Forms
generous · more generous · most generous
generosity noun — Willingness to give freely to others.
generously adverb — In a way that gives freely.
Similar words
- charitable
- Focuses on helping people in need, often through donations.
- benevolent
- Emphasizes goodwill toward others, without necessarily giving material help.