generosity
Americannoun
-
generosities
plural
-
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of generosity
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English generosite, from Latin generōsitās, from generōs(us) generous + -itās -ity
Explanation
Generosity is a quality that's a lot like unselfishness. Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need. Generosity is a quality — like honesty and patience — that we all probably wish we had more of. When you show generosity, you might give away things or money or put others before yourself. But generosity is about more than cash and stuff. When you're forgiving and gentle to people, you show generosity of spirit. If you give others help or credit, that shows generosity. The world would certainly be a better place if more people showed generosity to others.
Vocabulary lists containing generosity
Giving Words
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List 12
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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.
See Examples For:
You could have customers showing up ordering a feast of fillet steaks because they got an inside tip on your generosity.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
She writes, “The masterstroke of The Disappearers is that James lands the finish, a feat of generosity, compassion, and, as with the rest of this unforgettable book, unconquerable bravado.”
From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026
Only when they arrive from their various locales, carrying their various loads of secrets, generosity and resentments, do the daughters discover what kind of help their mother wants.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Her talent, ambition, depth, faith and generosity gave her an appeal that was close to universal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Cities like Philadelphia and Rochester were described as being victims of their own generosity.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
These gestures and generosities were things only her friends could tell you about.
From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2023
If you’ve got nothing left in reserve for even the smallest generosities — no judgment here, there’s been a lot of “… everything” — then start with micro-generosity to yourself.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 24, 2022
The small generosities, the willingness to listen, the empathy, lightening the mood with … let’s face it, some pretty silly jokes.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2021
In one of his more notable generosities back in Washington, he purchased copies of Joseph Mitchell’s Up in the Old Hotel for the entire staff.
From The New Yorker ● Feb. 13, 2015
The little vanities, and condescensions, and generosities which she had planned for her own glory––how contemptible they appeared!
From A Singer from the Sea by Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
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.
