View synonyms for kindly

kindly

[ kahynd-lee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

, kind·li·er, kind·li·est.

having, showing, or proceeding from a benevolent disposition or spirit; kindhearted:
kindly people.
gentle or mild, as rule or laws.
pleasant, agreeable, or benign:
kindly climate.
favorable, as soil for crops.

adverb

in a kind manner; with sympathetic or helpful kindness.
cordially or heartily:
We thank you kindly.
obligingly; please:
Would you kindly close the door?
with liking; favorably:
to take kindly to an idea.

kindly

/ ˈkaɪndlɪ /

adjective

having a sympathetic or warm-hearted nature
motivated by warm and sympathetic feelings
a kindly act
pleasant, mild, or agreeable
a kindly climate
archaic.
natural; normal

adverb

in a considerate or humane way
with tolerance or forbearance
he kindly forgave my rudeness
cordially; pleasantly
he greeted us kindly
please (often used to express impatience or formality)
will you kindly behave yourself!
archaic.
in accordance with nature; appropriately
not take kindly to
to react unfavourably towards

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Derived Forms

ˈkindliness, noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of kindly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English kyndly (adjective and adverb), Old English gecyndelīc “natural,” gecyndelīce “naturally”; kind ¹, -ly

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Idioms and Phrases

see take kindly to .

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Synonym Study

See kind ¹.

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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