kindly
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Related to kindlier: kinder
kind·ly
(kīnd′lē)adj. kind·li·er, kind·li·est
1. Of a sympathetic, helpful, or benevolent nature: a kindly interest; a gentle, kindly soul. See Synonyms at kind1.
2. Agreeable; pleasant: a kindly breeze.
3.
a. Archaic Of or relating to a status derived by legal descent from an ancestor.
b. Obsolete Natural to its kind.
adv.
1. Out of kindness: She kindly overlooked their mistake.
2. In a kind manner: He spoke kindly to us.
3. Pleasantly; agreeably: The sun shone kindly.
4. In an accommodating manner: Would you kindly fill in your name and address?
5. Obsolete In a way or course that is natural; fittingly.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
kindly
(ˈkaɪndlɪ)adj, -lier or -liest
1. having a sympathetic or warm-hearted nature
2. motivated by warm and sympathetic feelings: a kindly act.
3. pleasant, mild, or agreeable: a kindly climate.
4. archaic natural; normal
adv
5. in a considerate or humane way
6. with tolerance or forbearance: he kindly forgave my rudeness.
7. cordially; pleasantly: he greeted us kindly.
8. please (often used to express impatience or formality): will you kindly behave yourself!.
9. archaic in accordance with nature; appropriately
10. not take kindly to to react unfavourably towards
ˈkindliness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
kind•ly
(ˈkaɪnd li)adj. -li•er, -li•est,
adv. adj.
1. having, showing, or proceeding from a kind disposition: kindly people.
2. gentle or mild.
3. pleasant or beneficial.
adv. 4. in a kind manner.
5. cordially or heartily: We thank you kindly.
6. obligingly; please: Kindly close the door.
7. favorably: to take kindly to an idea.
[before 900]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
kindly
Kindly can be an adverb or an adjective.
1. used as an adverb
If you do something kindly, you do it in a kind way.
Priscilla played with Edal kindly and patiently.
She smiled very kindly.
You can use kindly to show that you are grateful to someone.
They kindly contributed to our funds.
Manfred and Mrs Mount are very kindly taking me back.
Some people use kindly when they are asking someone to do something in an annoyed way. This is a rather old-fashioned use.
Kindly stand back a minute, please.
2. 'take kindly'
If you do not take kindly to something, you are very unwilling to accept it.
He doesn't take too kindly to discipline.
It is hard to imagine her taking kindly to too much interference.
3. used as an adjective
Kindly is sometimes an adjective with the same meaning as 'kind'. This is a rather old-fashioned use.
They are kindly people.
He had been given shelter by a kindly villager.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. | kindly - showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity; "was charitable in his opinions of others"; "kindly criticism"; "a kindly act"; "sympathetic words"; "a large-hearted mentor" kind - having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior; "kind to sick patients"; "a kind master"; "kind words showing understanding and sympathy"; "thanked her for her kind letter" |
| 2. | kindly - pleasant and agreeable; "a kindly climate"; "kindly breeze" | |
| Adv. | 1. | kindly - in a kind manner or out of kindness; "He spoke kindly to the boy"; "she kindly overlooked the mistake" unkindly - in an unkind manner or with unkindness; "The teacher treats the children unkindly" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
kindly
adjective
1. benevolent, kind, caring, nice, warm, gentle, helpful, pleasant, mild, sympathetic, beneficial, polite, favourable, benign, humane, compassionate, hearty, cordial, considerate, genial, affable, good-natured, beneficent, well-disposed, kind-hearted, warm-hearted He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
benevolent mean, severe, harsh, cruel, malicious, unkindly, unsympathetic, malevolent, spiteful
benevolent mean, severe, harsh, cruel, malicious, unkindly, unsympathetic, malevolent, spiteful
adverb
1. benevolently, politely, generously, thoughtfully, tenderly, lovingly, cordially, affectionately, helpfully, graciously, obligingly, agreeably, indulgently, selflessly, unselfishly, compassionately, considerately He kindly carried our picnic in a rucksack.
benevolently meanly, harshly, cruelly, unkindly, maliciously, malevolently, spitefully, unsympathetically
benevolently meanly, harshly, cruelly, unkindly, maliciously, malevolently, spitefully, unsympathetically
2. (Formal) please, pray, if you don't mind, if you please, if you'd be so kind Will you kindly do as you are told?
look kindly on or upon something or someone help, back, second, support, aid, forward, champion, encourage, defend, promote, take (someone's) part, strengthen, assist, advocate, uphold, side with, go along with, stand up for, espouse, stand behind, hold (someone's) hand, stick up for (informal), succour, buoy up, boost (someone's) morale, take up the cudgels for, be a source of strength to The committee will look kindly on requests to replace injured players.
not take kindly to something or someone dislike, object to, resent, take exception to, be offended by, be angry about, be bitter about, take offence at, harbour a grudge against, take as an insult, be in a huff about, take amiss, be pissed (off) about (taboo slang), have hard feelings about She did not take kindly to being offered advice on her social life.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
kindly
adjectiveCharacterized by kindness and concern for others:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
kindly
[ˈkaɪndlɪ]A. ADJ (kindlier (compar) (kindliest (superl))) [person] → bondadoso; [tone of voice] → tierno, cariñoso; [face, eyes, smile] → afable, dulce; [remark] → cariñoso
a kindly soul → un alma caritativa or bondadosa
a kindly soul → un alma caritativa or bondadosa
B. ADV
1. (= thoughtfully) → amablemente
"you seem tired this morning, Jenny," she said kindly → -pareces cansada esta mañana, Jenny -dijo cariñosamente
he very kindly helped → tuvo la amabilidad de ayudar
to look kindly on sth → ver algo con buenos ojos
to look kindly on sb → ser benévolo con algn
to take kindly to sth he didn't take very kindly to her suggestion → no acogió muy bien su sugerencia
the villagers do not take kindly to newcomers → a la gente del pueblo no les gustan mucho los recién llegados
he doesn't take kindly to being kept waiting → no le hace ninguna gracia que le hagan esperar
to think kindly of sb → tener un buen concepto de algn
"you seem tired this morning, Jenny," she said kindly → -pareces cansada esta mañana, Jenny -dijo cariñosamente
he very kindly helped → tuvo la amabilidad de ayudar
to look kindly on sth → ver algo con buenos ojos
to look kindly on sb → ser benévolo con algn
to take kindly to sth he didn't take very kindly to her suggestion → no acogió muy bien su sugerencia
the villagers do not take kindly to newcomers → a la gente del pueblo no les gustan mucho los recién llegados
he doesn't take kindly to being kept waiting → no le hace ninguna gracia que le hagan esperar
to think kindly of sb → tener un buen concepto de algn
2. (= please) (frm) kindly wait a moment → haga el favor de esperar un momento, tenga la amabilidad de esperar un momento
kindly mind your own business → haz el favor de no meterte en lo que no te importa
kindly mind your own business → haz el favor de no meterte en lo que no te importa
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
kind2
(kaind) adjective ready or anxious to do good to others; friendly. He's such a kind man; It was very kind of you to look after the children yesterday.amable
ˈkindly adverb1. in a kind manner. She kindly lent me a handkerchief.amablemente
2. please. Would you kindly stop talking!por favor
adjective having or showing a gentle and friendly nature. a kindly smile; a kindly old lady.bondadoso, amable, agradable, simpático
ˈkindliness nounˈkindness noun the quality of being kind. I'll never forget her kindness; Thank you for all your kindness.bondad, amabilidad
ˌkind-ˈhearted adjective having or showing kindness. She is too kind-hearted to hurt an animal.bondadoso
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
kindly
→ amablementeMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009