kindness
Americannoun
-
the state or quality of being kind.
kindness to animals.
- Synonyms:
- tenderness, compassion, sympathy, charity, generosity, humanity, benevolence, benignity
- Antonyms:
- malevolence
-
a kind act; favor.
his many kindnesses to me.
-
kind behavior.
I will never forget your kindness.
- Synonyms:
- tenderness, compassion, sympathy, charity, generosity, humanity, benevolence, benignity
- Antonyms:
- cruelty
-
friendly feeling; liking.
noun
-
the practice or quality of being kind
-
a kind, considerate, or helpful act
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of kindness
First recorded in 1250–1300, kindness is from the Middle English word kindenes. See kind 1, -ness
Explanation
If someone asks you to do them a kindness, they mean a nice, kind act, the kind that makes you think of puppies and daisies. The noun kindness can be used for a kind act or to describe someone's temperament. You might say of someone that her kindness is quite genuine, or on the other hand she fakes kindness to get what she wants.
Vocabulary lists containing kindness
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ness
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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.
See Examples For:
"Her kindness, warmth, and remarkable talent touched everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her."
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The team on this project was uniquely dedicated to doing things with as much kindness and thoughtful support of Sophia as possible.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
At the time, Ridgeley could never have imagined that a small act of kindness in a Hertfordshire classroom would eventually help change lives on the other side of the world.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
Guitars take the place of shovels, as Henry now repays Carlos’ kindness by helping to save the land that Carlos assumes is ravaged.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
But the Shadow Queen didn’t like these acts of kindness.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
When I look back over these past months I am overwhelmed by the kindnesses bestowed not only on me but on my wife and daughters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025
He noted he is sometimes overcome by unexpected kindnesses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
The dancers tended to tell their stories almost dispassionately, sometimes smiling as they recalled the small kindnesses they had encountered along the way.
From New York Times ● Aug. 30, 2022
Many contributors mentioned Dorfman's generosity and kindnesses in the local community - but reciprocal offers of help and support as he grew older were frustratingly rebuffed.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2022
Bono hath been highly solicitous of my health, showing me all the kindnesses of which he is capable.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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.
