A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected.
German banks are more generous in their lending. [+ in]
The gift is generous by any standards.
generouslyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
We would like to thank all the judges who gave so generously of their time.
2. adjective
A generous person is friendly, helpful, and willing to see the good qualities in someone or something.
He was always generous in sharing his enormous knowledge. [+ in]
He was generous enough to congratulate his successor on his decision.
Synonyms: magnanimous, kind, noble, benevolent More Synonyms of generous
generouslyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
The students generously gave them instruction in social responsibility.
3. adjective
A generous amount of something is much larger than is usual or necessary.
...a generous six weeks of annual holiday.
He should be able to keep his room tidy with the generous amount of storage space.
Synonyms: plentiful, lavish, ample, abundant More Synonyms of generous
generouslyadverb [ADVERB -ed, ADVERB after verb]
...a generously sized sitting room.
Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper.
More Synonyms of generous
generous in British English
(ˈdʒɛnərəs, ˈdʒɛnrəs)
adjective
1.
willing and liberal in giving away one's money, time, etc; munificent
2.
free from pettiness in character and mind
3.
full or plentiful
a generous portion
4.
(of wine) rich in alcohol
5.
(of a soil type) fertile
Derived forms
generously (ˈgenerously)
adverb
generousness (ˈgenerousness)
noun
Word origin
C16: via Old French from Latin generōsus nobly born, from genus race; see genus
generous in American English
(ˈdʒɛnərəs)
adjective
1. Obsolete
of noble birth
2.
having qualities attributed to people of noble birth; noble-minded; gracious; magnanimous
3.
giving or sharing liberally and willingly; openhanded
4.
large; ample
generous portions
5.
rich in yield; fertile
6.
full-flavored and strong
said of wine
Derived forms
generously (ˈgenerously)
adverb
generousness (ˈgenerousness)
noun
Word origin
L generosus, of noble birth, excellent, generous < genus: see genus
Examples of 'generous' in a sentence
generous
Her idea was especially generous and such a kind thing to do.
The Sun (2010)
They gave him a generous gift and extended to him a formal blessing.
Christianity Today (2000)
She was a very nice lady and always very generous.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You enjoy being generous but your time will mean more to a relative.
The Sun (2009)
We have already had some very generous donations.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But he was so generous and helpful.
The Sun (2013)
Use a generous amount of highlighting powder on the middle of the forehead.
The Sun (2013)
The moon tempts you to be too generous with your money and your time.
The Sun (2011)
Add a swirl of balsamic vinegar and a more generous one of olive oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The master bedroom is a generous size and the secluded rear garden has been landscaped.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
More help is being lined up with your generous gifts.
The Sun (2010)
He was always very generous about the piece.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
To give to such groups in warm economic times would be generous.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Our appeal has received some generous donations.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The generous amount of marvellous archive footage here reminds us of better times.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The moon in your values chart means you may be too generous with money.
The Sun (2009)
Some smaller lenders offer more generous loan sizes but they often have tighter acceptance criteria.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Decent societies will always provide generous safety nets when families are weak or economic circumstances challenging.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You are the warmest, most generous and friendly boss.
The Sun (2006)
This generous nationalism went one stage farther, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She is friendly and generous, using her earnings to aid a recently widowed neighbour.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
This year, those deals are especially generous.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was so kind, so generous, so helpful.
The Sun (2015)
Quotations
It is easy to be generous with other people's property
In other languages
generous
British English: generous /ˈdʒɛnərəs; ˈdʒɛnrəs/ ADJECTIVE
A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected.
He is generous with his money.
American English: generous
Arabic: كَرِيـم
Brazilian Portuguese: generoso
Chinese: 慷慨的
Croatian: darežljiv
Czech: štědrý
Danish: generøs
Dutch: vrijgevig
European Spanish: generoso
Finnish: antelias
French: généreux
German: großzügig
Greek: γενναιόδωρος
Italian: generoso
Japanese: 気前のよい
Korean: 인심 좋은
Norwegian: sjenerøs
Polish: hojny
European Portuguese: generoso
Romanian: generos
Russian: щедрый
Latin American Spanish: generoso
Swedish: generös
Thai: ใจกว้าง
Turkish: cömert
Ukrainian: щедрий
Vietnamese: hào phóng
All related terms of 'generous'
generous gift
A gift is something that you give someone as a present.
generous mood
Your mood is the way you are feeling at a particular time. If you are in a good mood , you feel cheerful . If you are in a bad mood , you feel angry and impatient .
generous donor
A donor is a person or organization who gives something, especially money, to a charity, organization, or country that needs it.
generous heart
You use heart when you are talking about someone's character and attitude towards other people, especially when they are kind and generous .
generous allowance
A particular type of allowance is an amount of something that you are allowed in particular circumstances .
generous benefits
Benefit is money that is given by the government to people who are poor, ill , or unemployed .
generous donation
A donation is something which someone gives to a charity or other organization.
generous gesture
A gesture is something that you say or do in order to express your attitude or intentions , often something that you know will not have much effect.
generous benefactor
A benefactor is a person who helps a person or organization by giving them money.
generous hospitality
Hospitality is friendly , welcoming behaviour towards guests or people you have just met.
Chinese translation of 'generous'
generous
(ˈdʒɛnərəs)
adj
[person]大方的 (dàfang de)
(= sizeable)[measure, gift]大量的 (dàliàng de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
ready to give freely
You're very generous with your money.
Synonyms
liberal
They thanked him for his liberal generosity.
lavish
American reviewers are lavish in their praise of this book.
free
They weren't always so free with their advice.
charitable
He made large donations to numerous charitable organizations.
free-handed
hospitable
The people here are hospitable and welcoming.
prodigal
You are prodigal of both your toil and your talent.
bountiful
Their bountiful host was serving a variety of wonderful dishes.
open-handed
unstinting
beneficent
In 1909 nuns were running more than 1,000 beneficent institutions.
princely
bounteous
munificent
a munificent donation
ungrudging
Opposites
mean
,
selfish
,
cheap
,
tight
,
greedy
,
stingy
,
parsimonious
,
miserly
,
avaricious
,
close-fisted
2 (adjective)
Definition
free from pettiness in character and mind
He was not generous enough to congratulate his successor.
Synonyms
magnanimous
He was a man capable of magnanimous gestures.
kind
He was a very kind man, full of common sense.
noble
He was an upright and noble man.
benevolent
a most benevolent employer
good
It's very good of you to help out at such short notice.
big
They describe him as an idealist with a big heart.
high-minded
The President's hopes were high-minded, but too vague.
unselfish
As a player he was unselfish, a true team man.
big-hearted
a bluff, big-hearted man
ungrudging
3 (adjective)
Definition
large or plentiful
a room with a generous amount of storage space
Synonyms
plentiful
a plentiful supply
lavish
a lavish party to celebrate his fiftieth birthday
ample
The design gave ample space for a good-sized kitchen.
abundant
There is an abundant supply of labour.
full
Full details will be sent to you.
rich
a rich supply of fresh, clean water
liberal
Make liberal use of spices in the recipe.
overflowing
The great hall was overflowing with people.
copious
He drank copious quantities of tea and coffee.
bountiful
The land is bountiful and no one starves.
unstinting
The task was made easier by the unstinting help extended to me.
profuse
This plant produces profuse bright-blue flowers.
bounteous (literary)
plenteous
the plenteous mead that had been given to him
Opposites
small
,
tiny
,
meagre
,
minimal
,
scanty
proverb
It is easy to be generous with other people's property
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abundant
There is an abundant supply of labour.
Synonyms
plentiful,
full,
rich,
filled,
liberal,
generous,
lavish,
ample,
infinite,
overflowing,
exuberant,
teeming,
copious,
inexhaustible,
bountiful,
luxuriant,
profuse,
rank,
well-provided,
well-supplied,
two a penny,
thick on the ground,
bounteous,
plenteous
in the sense of ample
Definition
more than sufficient
The design gave ample space for a good-sized kitchen.
Synonyms
plenty of,
great,
rich,
liberal,
broad,
generous,
lavish,
spacious,
abounding,
abundant,
plentiful,
expansive,
copious,
roomy,
unrestricted,
voluminous,
capacious,
profuse,
commodious,
plenteous,
enough and to spare
in the sense of beneficent
Definition
charitable
In 1909 nuns were running more than 1,000 beneficent institutions.
Synonyms
charitable,
benign,
benevolent,
philanthropic,
bountiful,
bounteous,
munificent,
princely
Synonyms of 'generous'
generous
Explore 'generous' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of prodigal
You are prodigal of both your toil and your talent.
Synonyms
lavish,
bountiful,
unstinting,
unsparing,
bounteous,
profuse
in the sense of profuse
Definition
plentiful or abundant
This plant produces profuse bright-blue flowers.
Synonyms
plentiful,
ample,
prolific,
abundant,
overflowing,
teeming,
copious,
bountiful,
luxuriant
in the sense of rich
Definition
well supplied (with a desirable substance or quality)
a rich supply of fresh, clean water
Synonyms
well-stocked,
full,
productive,
ample,
abundant,
plentiful,
copious,
well-provided,
well-supplied,
plenteous
in the sense of unselfish
Definition
concerned about other people's wishes and needs rather than one's own
As a player he was unselfish, a true team man.
Synonyms
generous,
selfless,
noble,
kind,
liberal,
devoted,
humanitarian,
charitable,
disinterested,
altruistic,
self-sacrificing,
magnanimous,
self-denying
in the sense of unstinting
Definition
generous and gladly given
The task was made easier by the unstinting help extended to me.