kindly

[kahynd-lee]

adjective

kindlier, kindliest 

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. to react unfavourably towards

Other Word Forms

• kindliness 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

“Now, the witch doesn’t take kindly to this perspective. Personally, I don’t blame her. It’s reductionist, it’s elitist, and it’s just plain icky. So the witch goes from zero to a hundred—and curses Benefo.”

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The trees that circled it stood tall and straight, like kindly protectors.

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“Our cook makes a tasty fish stew,” Miss Mortimer said kindly.

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For what child does not like being treated kindly by an adult?

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But it's hard to see how Leclerc and Hamilton would take especially kindly to them, however well meaning they were.

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Related Words

• affectionately 
• delicately 
• generously www.thesaurus.com
• genially 
• graciously 
• helpfully www.thesaurus.com
• politely 
• sympathetically www.thesaurus.com
• tenderly 
• thoughtfully www.thesaurus.com