generosity

American  

[jen-uh-ros-i-tee] / ˌdʒɛn əˈrɒs ɪ ti /

noun

generosities plural

1. readiness or liberality in giving.

   Synonyms:

   bountifulness, munificence

   Antonyms:

   stinginess

2. freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.

   Synonyms:

   magnanimity, nobleness

   Antonyms:

   pettiness

3. a generous act.

   We thanked him for his many generosities.

4. largeness or fullness; amplitude.

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generosity British  

/ ˌdʒɛnəˈrɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. willingness and liberality in giving away one's money, time, etc; magnanimity

2. freedom from pettiness in character and mind

3. a generous act

4. abundance; plenty

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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

• overgenerosity
  noun
• supergenerosity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• generosities
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

generosity generosities

“The mural was brought to life through the vision and generosity of many,” the temple said in a Facebook post.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

“I admired their simplicity and generosity and thought of the pictures I made as agreements,” he writes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

“This historic act of generosity will give millions of low- and middle-income children an even stronger shot at achieving the American Dream,” the White House said on its website about the accounts.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

It occurred to me that I had been extending that generosity to everyone but myself.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

In the postwar years, when an influx of demobilized students threatened to burst the seams of Berkeley’s outdated scientific facilities, California’s legislature and the university’s private patrons responded with unprecedented generosity.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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

We do not so much prove them as create them, according to the impulses and undisciplined generosities of our disposition.

From Men in the Making by Shepherd, Ambrose

Related Words

• goodness
• hospitality
• kindness
• largesse
• unselfishness