generous

[jen-er-uhs]

adjective

1. liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish: a generous gift.

   a generous patron of the arts;

   a generous gift.

   Synonyms: free, openhanded
   Antonyms: selfish

2. free from meanness or smallness of mind or character; magnanimous.

   Synonyms: big, noble, high-minded
   Antonyms: mean

3. large; abundant; ample.

   a generous portion of pie.

   Synonyms: copious, plentiful
   Antonyms: meager

4. rich or strong in flavor.

   a generous wine.

5. fertile; prolific.

   generous soil.

   Synonyms: fruitful
   Antonyms: barren

generous

/ ˈdʒɛnərəs, ˈdʒɛnrəs /

adjective

1. willing and liberal in giving away one's money, time, etc; munificent

2. free from pettiness in character and mind

3. full or plentiful

   a generous portion

4. (of wine) rich in alcohol

5. (of a soil type) fertile

Other Word Forms

• generously adverb
• generousness noun
• overgenerous adjective
• overgenerously adverb
• quasi-generous adjective
• quasi-generously adverb
• supergenerous adjective
• supergenerously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of generous¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Middle French genereux, genereus “magnanimous,” and Latin generōsus “of noble birth, excellent,” equivalent to gener- ( gender ² ) + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of generous¹

C16: via Old French from Latin generōsus nobly born, from genus race; see _genus

Synonym Study

Generous, charitable, liberal, bountiful, munificent all describe persons who give to others something of value, or the acts of such persons. Generous stresses the warm and sympathetic nature of the giver: a generous gift; generous in praise of the work of others. Charitable places stress on both the goodness and kindness of the giver and the indigence or need of the receiver: charitable assistance to people in need; a charitable person, always willing to help those less fortunate than herself. Liberal, in this connection, emphasizes the size of the gift, the largesse and openhandedness of the giver: a liberal contribution to the endowment fund. Bountiful implies effusive, unstinted giving and a sense of abundance or plenty: bountiful and unrestricted support for the museum; a bountiful return for his efforts. Munificent refers to gifts or awards so large and striking as to evoke amazement or admiration: a life income, a truly munificent reward for his loyalty; a munificent contribution, larger by far than any other.

Example Sentences

Premium credit cards, or those with more generous rewards programs, tend to charge merchants higher interchange fees.

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“The U.S. administration has been more willing to take ownership stakes in other companies, and if the equity sweetener is generous enough, they may take the bait on this one as well,” writes D.A.

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The two retired teachers on the top floor of this apartment building were a bit more generous.

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I would let the death benefits go if his Social Security was more generous.

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It’s a generous donation to your daughter’s education, if a sadly unrealized one.

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Related Words

• acceptable 
• benevolent 
• big 
• charitable 
• considerate 
• fair 
• good 
• helpful 
• honest 
• hospitable 
• lavish 
• reasonable 
• thoughtful 
• tolerant 
• unselfish 
• willing