generosity

American  

[jen-uh-ros-i-tee] / ˌdʒɛn əˈrɒs ɪ ti /

noun

• generosities
  plural

1. readiness or liberality in giving.

   Synonyms:

   bountifulness, munificence

   Antonyms:

   stinginess

2. freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.

   Synonyms:

   magnanimity, nobleness

   Antonyms:

   pettiness

3. a generous act.

   We thanked him for his many generosities.

4. largeness or fullness; amplitude.

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generosity British  

/ ˌdʒɛnəˈrɒsɪtɪ /

noun

1. willingness and liberality in giving away one's money, time, etc; magnanimity

2. freedom from pettiness in character and mind

3. a generous act

4. abundance; plenty

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Usage

What does generosity mean? Generosity is the spirit and action of freely and frequently giving to others. Generosity can also refer to an overall spirit of kindness, but this is less common. Example: If there’s one thing she will be remembered for, it’s her generosity—she was extremely generous with her money, her time, and her effort.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overgenerosity
  noun
• supergenerosity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• generosities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of generosity

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English generosite, from Latin generōsitās, from generōs(us) generous + -itās -ity

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Explanation

Generosity is a quality that's a lot like unselfishness. Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need. Generosity is a quality — like honesty and patience — that we all probably wish we had more of. When you show generosity, you might give away things or money or put others before yourself. But generosity is about more than cash and stuff. When you're forgiving and gentle to people, you show generosity of spirit. If you give others help or credit, that shows generosity. The world would certainly be a better place if more people showed generosity to others.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

generosity generosities

Once guests arrive, keep that same generosity of spirit.

From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026

Grossman calls Albuquerque “an artist’s artist,” citing her openness about how she works and her generosity toward other artists.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

"In the first few dates you should talk about how each of you approaches spending, saving, generosity, lifestyle and financial independence as these things shape compatibility."

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

"There's a new balance to find between desirability, scarcity and generosity," she told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

I regretted my generosity before I’d even gone twenty paces.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

These gestures and generosities were things only her friends could tell you about.

From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2023

If you’ve got nothing left in reserve for even the smallest generosities — no judgment here, there’s been a lot of “… everything” — then start with micro-generosity to yourself.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 24, 2022

The small generosities, the willingness to listen, the empathy, lightening the mood with … let’s face it, some pretty silly jokes.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2021

In one of his more notable generosities back in Washington, he purchased copies of Joseph Mitchell’s Up in the Old Hotel for the entire staff.

From The New Yorker ● Feb. 13, 2015

“See already the new gravity in people’s faces, the generosities, the pacification of a thousand stupid squabbles——” “If you mean Carsonism,” said Boon, “it’s only sulking until it can cut in again.”

From Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump; Being a First Selection from the Literary Remains of George Boon, Appropriate to the Times by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

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Related Words

• goodness
• hospitality
• kindness
• largesse
• unselfishness

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