generous

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle French genereux, and its source, Latin generōsus (of noble birth), from genus (race, stock).

Pronunciation

[edit]
  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈd͡ʒɛn(ə)ɹəs/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

[edit]

generous (comparative more generous, superlative most generous)

  1. Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous. [from 16th c.]
    Thank you for your generous words.
  2. Willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed. [from 17th c.]
    She's been extremely generous with her winnings.
  3. Large, more than ample, copious. [from 17th c.]
    Add a generous helping of mayonnaise.
    his generous buttocks
    • 1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 4:
      [H]is hard jaw worked slowly upon a generous mouthful of plug cut.
    • 2018, Tayari Jones, An American Marriage, Oneworld Publications, page 226:
      The ice cream parlors served generous scoops, hand-dipped by college-bound teenagers who spoke through colorful orthodontia.
  4. Invigorating in its nature.
    a generous wine
  5. (obsolete) Of noble birth. [16th–19th c.]

Synonyms

[edit]
[edit]

Translations

[edit]
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.