generosity
Americannoun
plural
generosities-
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
- overgenerosity noun
- supergenerosity noun
Etymology
Origin of generosity
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English generosite, from Latin generōsitās, from generōs(us) generous + -itās -ity
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.
“The soldier’s identity,” he said, “is forged by generosity, a spirit of service, lofty aspirations, and profound sentiments.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
"You were a constant, a guiding force, and to me, someone I admired and learned from - like a big sister, a woman of immense heart, wisdom, and generosity."
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
“There’s a generosity of its history that you’re invited in. It was this fever dream, the whole experience of being there.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026
These small touches give the table a sense of generosity — and they quietly improve nearly everything they touch.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026
Polybius, interestingly, can’t bring himself to laud the monarch’s generosity as much as to credit the Rhodians for publicizing their plight so effectively!
From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro
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.
