kindly

[ kahynd-lee ]

adjective

, kind·li·er, kind·li·est.

1. having, showing, or proceeding from a benevolent disposition or spirit; kindhearted:

   kindly people.

2. gentle or mild, as rule or laws.
3. pleasant, agreeable, or benign:

   kindly climate.

4. favorable, as soil for crops.

adverb

1. in a kind manner; with sympathetic or helpful kindness.
2. cordially or heartily:

   We thank you kindly.

3. obligingly; please:

   Would you kindly close the door?

4. with liking; favorably:

   to take kindly to an idea.

kindly

/ ˈkaɪndlɪ /

adjective

1. having a sympathetic or warm-hearted nature
2. motivated by warm and sympathetic feelings

   a kindly act

3. pleasant, mild, or agreeable

   a kindly climate

4. archaic.
   natural; normal

adverb

1. in a considerate or humane way
2. with tolerance or forbearance

   he kindly forgave my rudeness

3. cordially; pleasantly

   he greeted us kindly

4. please (often used to express impatience or formality)

   will you kindly behave yourself!

5. archaic.
   in accordance with nature; appropriately
6. not take kindly to
   not take kindly to to react unfavourably towards

Derived Forms

• ˈkindliness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English kyndly (adjective and adverb), Old English gecyndelīc “natural,” gecyndelīce “naturally”; kind ¹, -ly

Idioms and Phrases

see take kindly to .

Synonym Study

See kind ¹.

Example Sentences

We kindly inform these little jokers with the dubious jokes that they risk judicial proceedings they may not find funny at all.

From The Daily Beast

But Bone, when we routed him out, could not promise us any more accommodation than he had so kindly given us the first night.

From The Daily Beast

John kindly offered to take Hice to see that the “gay plot” has nothing to do with “recruiting” children, but with equal rights.

From The Daily Beast

The letter kindly asked that the money be returned, but not a single cent has been transferred and nobody held to account.

From The Daily Beast

The agent kindly instructs you to step aside while they investigate.

From The Daily Beast

And if an earthly father would act thus wisely and thus kindly, "how much more your Father which is in Heaven?"

From Project Gutenberg

It must be confessed that he felt none too kindly towards Grandfather Mole.

From Project Gutenberg

The Professor thought very kindly of the dead cousin, whose money would provide for this great work.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Anne smiled kindly, not dreaming of his perplexity, amused by his Southern warmth.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a sad day for Ramona and Alessandro when the kindly Hyers pulled up their tent-stakes and left the valley.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affectionately
• delicately
• generously
• genially
• graciously
• helpfully
• politely
• sympathetically
• tenderly
• thoughtfully