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.
“Yes Laura, it was on purpose. I flew to San Diego for a funeral for a friend and active-duty SEAL. Kindly delete your toxic and obsessive trolling, if you don’t mind,” he wrote.
From Washington Times • Jan. 12, 2023
"Many people are sick and can't leave the village on foot. Kindly get the bridge built, it's the main connection with the city," the letter says.
From BBC • Aug. 28, 2022
My friend and neighbor sent me a copy of a message he received involving an AT&T Free Msg. account: “We accidentally overcharged your phone bill last month. Kindly your compensation here:”
From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2021
It also continues to open locations in opportunity zones, including its latest in Stockton, Calif. That followed opportunity zone locations in Newark, where Mr. Litman’s Kindly has an office, and Memphis.
From New York Times • Aug. 20, 2019
"One parting request. Kindly make certain no harm comes to Sansa Stark. It would not do to lose both the daughters."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
