kindly
Americanadjective
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having, showing, or proceeding from a benevolent disposition or spirit; kindhearted.
kindly people.
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gentle or mild, as rule or laws.
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pleasant, agreeable, or benign.
kindly climate.
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favorable, as soil for crops.
adjective
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having a sympathetic or warm-hearted nature
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motivated by warm and sympathetic feelings
a kindly act
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pleasant, mild, or agreeable
a kindly climate
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archaic natural; normal
adverb
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in a considerate or humane way
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with tolerance or forbearance
he kindly forgave my rudeness
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cordially; pleasantly
he greeted us kindly
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please (often used to express impatience or formality)
will you kindly behave yourself!
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archaic in accordance with nature; appropriately
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to react unfavourably towards
Related Words
See kind 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of kindly
First recorded before 900; Middle English kyndly (adjective and adverb), Old English gecyndelīc “natural,” gecyndelīce “naturally”; see kind 1, -ly
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.
O'Mahoney added: "My girlfriend was away so I asked him and he very graciously and kindly agreed."
From BBC • May 21, 2026
“We kindly ask you not to rush to our stores in large numbers to acquire this product,” it wrote online.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Sheila Hutchings, a Democrat, voted for Harris because she wanted "a more positive" personality who would "speak kindly" to all constituents regardless of party.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
“During this difficult time, we kindly ask that friends and fans respect our family’s privacy as we grieve and support one another.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026
“Well, Clarence, don’t worry. We’re leaving. But kindly inform Mr. Lemoncello that we shall return.”
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
