kindness
Americannoun
-
kindnesses
plural
-
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:
“I want him to learn that another person’s boundaries matter even when he doesn’t understand or agree with them and that kindness isn’t something you perform only when adults are watching,” he said.
From Salon ● Oct. 18, 2026
But as Ms. Hoyer’s book makes clear, the city showed as much cowardice as kindness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
We will always remember him for 1988 and even more for his kindness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
Hooley's company commander in the Parachute Regiment said the 28-year-old was "a born soldier" who "had a rare gift: a deep kindness and genuine time for everyone".
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
“My dear Emma,” said he at last, with earnest kindness, “do you think you perfectly understand the degree of acquaintance between the gentleman and lady we have been speaking of?”
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
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
On Friday, Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen "remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year".
From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2024
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
James captures the simple kindnesses of a cup of coffee or a shared cellphone as though they were religious acts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2022
When he had finished the first hot dog, Ignatius prepared and consumed another, contemplating other kindnesses that might postpone his having to go to work again.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
