He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
Synonyms: benevolent, kind, caring, nice More Synonyms of kindly
kindlinessuncountable noun
His kindliness and warmth made him particularly effective with staff welfare.
Synonyms: kindness, charity, sympathy, humanity More Synonyms of kindly
2. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
If someone kindly does something for you, they act in a thoughtful and helpful way.
He kindly carried our picnic in a rucksack.
He had very kindly asked me to the cocktail party that evening.
Synonyms: benevolently, politely, generously, thoughtfully More Synonyms of kindly
3. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
If someone asks you to kindly do something, they are asking you in a way which shows that they have authority over you, or that they are angry with you.
[formal]
Will you kindly obey the instructions I am about to give?
4. See also kind1
5.
See look kindly on/look kindly upon
6.
See not take kindly to
More Synonyms of kindly
kindly in British English
(ˈkaɪndlɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: -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
adverb
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
Derived forms
kindliness (ˈkindliness)
noun
kindly in American English
(ˈkaɪndli)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈkindlier or ˈkindliest
1.
kind; gracious; benign
2.
agreeable; pleasant
a kindly climate
3. Archaic
natural; native; innate
adverbWord forms: ˈkindlier or ˈkindliest
4.
in a kind, gracious manner
5.
agreeably; favorably
6.
as a courtesy; please
kindly shut the door
see also please
7. Obsolete
naturally
now only in take kindly to, a) to be naturally attracted to b) to accept willingly
SIMILAR WORDS: kind
Idioms:
thank kindly
Derived forms
kindliness (ˈkindliness)
noun
Word origin
ME cyndelich < OE (ge)cyndelic, natural < cynd(e): see kind
Examples of 'kindly' in a sentence
kindly
If so, would they kindly leave the country and close the door after them.
The Sun (2016)
It hurt to watch this kindly old gent suffer the rejection.
Christianity Today (2000)
Would she not look kindly at him?
Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters (1864)
On the last day of filming he kindly offered me a sniff.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They had not taken her interest kindly.
Hyland, Paul Indian Balm - Travels in the Southern Subcontinent (1994)
There is evidence that he was a kindly man.
Christina Hardyment Malory: The Life and Times of King Arthur's Chronicler (2005)
He seems like a kindly old gent to his unsuspecting neighbours.
The Sun (2012)
So who are these mysterious people and why do they look so kindly upon bankers?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Buddy picks up a rake and kindly offers to help.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And he does not take kindly to younger managers trying to muscle in on his territory.
The Sun (2013)
And let us speak kindly of his qualifications for a job in an international trade or banking bureaucracy.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
And with a warm and kindly shake of the hand, he left them.
Elizabeth Gaskell North and South (1855)
But it's a reassuring presence and it grows on you like the frown of a grizzled but kindly uncle.
The Sun (2011)
His international fame always came as a surprise to students who had encountered him only as a kindly, caring figure.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
As for the families of victims, my wish is that you kindly leave your door open for me to make my apologies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
So I was sort of known and the drivers were often kindly and indulgent.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It bounced kindly for me but I caught it just right.
The Sun (2013)
Will the last member of the UK to leave kindly turn off the lights and lock up.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She likens his touch to'the soft petting of a kindly uncle '.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
kindly
British English: kindly /ˈkaɪndlɪ/ ADVERB
If you do something kindly, you do it in a gentle, caring, and helpful way.
He very kindly asked me to the party.
American English: kindly
Arabic: لُطْفَاً
Brazilian Portuguese: amavelmente
Chinese: 亲切地
Croatian: ljubazno
Czech: laskavě
Danish: venligt
Dutch: vriendelijk
European Spanish: amablemente
Finnish: ystävällisesti
French: gentiment
German: freundlicherweise
Greek: ευγενικά
Italian: cortesemente
Japanese: 親切に
Korean: 친절하게
Norwegian: vennlig
Polish: uprzejmie
European Portuguese: amavelmente
Romanian: cu amabilitate
Russian: любезно
Latin American Spanish: amablemente
Swedish: vänligt
Thai: อย่างใจดี
Turkish: iyilikle
Ukrainian: доброзичливо
Vietnamese: một cách tử tế
British English: kindly ADJECTIVE
A kindly person is kind, caring, and sympathetic.
He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
American English: kindly
Brazilian Portuguese: gentil
Chinese: 仁慈的
European Spanish: bondadoso
French: bienveillant
German: liebenswürdig
Italian: benevolo
Japanese: 思いやりがある
Korean: 인정 많은
European Portuguese: gentil
Latin American Spanish: bondadoso
Chinese translation of 'kindly'
kindly
(ˈkaɪndlɪ)
adj
[person, tone, interest]友善的 (yǒushàn de)
adv
[say, smile, treat]亲(親)切地 (qīnqiè de)
[agree, offer]友善地 (yǒushàn de)
will you kindly stop shouting at me!请(請)别(別)冲(衝)着(著)我大喊大叫！ (Qǐng bié chòngzhe wǒ dà hǎn dà jiào!)
he doesn't take kindly to criticism/people criticizing him他不乐(樂)意接受批评(評) (tā bù lèyì jiēshòu pīpíng)
(adjective)
Definition
having a warm-hearted and caring nature
He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
Synonyms
benevolent
a most benevolent employer
kind
He was a very kind man, full of common sense.
caring
He is a wonderful person, very gentle and caring.
nice
It was nice of you to go to so much trouble.
warm
We were instantly attracted by his warm personality.
gentle
a quiet and gentle man who liked sports and enjoyed life
helpful
The staff in the London office are helpful.
pleasant
mild
He is a mild man, reasonable almost to the point of blandness.
sympathetic
It may be that he sees you only as a sympathetic friend.
beneficial
polite
favourable
He made favourable comments about her work.
benign
Critics of the scheme take a less benign view.
humane
Their aim is for a more just and humane society.
compassionate
My father was a deeply compassionate man.
hearty
He was a hearty, bluff, athletic sort of guy.
cordial
I had never known him to be so chatty and cordial.
considerate
genial
He was a warm-hearted friend and a genial host.
affable
He is an extremely affable and approachable man.
good-natured
She was good-natured about it, and didn't make a fuss.
beneficent
well-disposed
kind-hearted
He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
warm-hearted
a good-natured and warm-hearted woman loved by everyone
Opposites
mean
,
severe
,
harsh
,
cruel
,
malicious
,
unkindly
,
unsympathetic
,
malevolent
,
spiteful
1 (adverb)
Definition
in a considerate or humane way
She kindly carried our picnic in her rucksack.
Synonyms
benevolently
politely
generously
thoughtfully
tenderly
lovingly
cordially
affectionately
helpfully
graciously
obligingly
agreeably
indulgently
selflessly
unselfishly
compassionately
considerately
Opposites
meanly
,
harshly
,
cruelly
,
unkindly
,
maliciously
,
malevolently
,
spitefully
,
unsympathetically
2 (adverb)
Definition
please
(formal)
Will you kindly do as you are told?
Synonyms
please
pray
if you don't mind
if you please
if you'd be so kind
idioms
See look kindly on or upon something or someone
See not take kindly to something or someone
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affable
Definition
showing warmth and friendliness
He is an extremely affable and approachable man.
Synonyms
friendly,
kindly,
civil,
warm,
pleasant,
mild,
obliging,
benign,
gracious,
benevolent,
good-humoured,
amiable,
courteous,
amicable,
cordial,
sociable,
genial,
congenial,
urbane,
approachable,
good-natured
in the sense of benign
Definition
showing kindliness
Critics of the scheme take a less benign view.
Synonyms
benevolent,
kind,
kindly,
warm,
liberal,
friendly,
generous,
obliging,
sympathetic,
favourable,
compassionate,
gracious,
amiable,
genial,
affable,
complaisant
in the sense of caring
Definition
feeling or showing care and compassion for other people
He is a wonderful person, very gentle and caring.
Synonyms
compassionate,
loving,
kindly,
warm,
soft,
sensitive,
tender,
sympathetic,
responsive,
receptive,
considerate,
warmhearted,
tenderhearted,
softhearted,
touchy-feely (informal)
Synonyms of 'kindly'
kindly
Explore 'kindly' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of compassionate
Definition
showing or having compassion
My father was a deeply compassionate man.
Synonyms
sympathetic,
kindly,
understanding,
tender,
pitying,
humanitarian,
charitable,
humane,
indulgent,
benevolent,
lenient,
merciful,
kind-hearted,
tender-hearted
in the sense of cordial
Definition
warm and friendly
I had never known him to be so chatty and cordial.
Synonyms
warm,
welcoming,
friendly,
cheerful,
affectionate,
hearty,
agreeable,
sociable,
genial,
affable,
congenial,
warm-hearted
in the sense of favourable
Definition
advantageous, encouraging, or promising
He made favourable comments about her work.
Synonyms
positive,
kind,
understanding,
encouraging,
welcoming,
friendly,
approving,
praising,
reassuring,
enthusiastic,
sympathetic,
benign,
commending,
complimentary,
agreeable,
amicable,
well-disposed,
commendatory
in the sense of genial
Definition
cheerful, easy-going, and friendly
He was a warm-hearted friend and a genial host.
Synonyms
friendly,
kind,
kindly,
pleasant,
warm,
cheerful,
jolly,
hearty,
agreeable,
cheery,
amiable,
cordial,
affable,
congenial,
jovial,
convivial,
good-natured,
warm-hearted,
merry
in the sense of gentle
Definition
soft
a quiet and gentle man who liked sports and enjoyed life
Synonyms
kind,
loving,
kindly,
peaceful,
soft,
quiet,
pacific,
tender,
mild,
benign,
humane,
compassionate,
amiable,
meek,
lenient,
placid,
merciful,
kind-hearted,
sweet-tempered,
tender-hearted,
dove-like
in the sense of good-natured
Definition
tolerant and kindly
She was good-natured about it, and didn't make a fuss.
Synonyms
amiable,
kind,
kindly,
friendly,
generous,
helpful,
obliging,
tolerant,
agreeable,
benevolent,
good-hearted,
magnanimous,
well-disposed,
warm-hearted
in the sense of hearty
Definition
warm, friendly, and enthusiastic
He was a hearty, bluff, athletic sort of guy.
Synonyms
friendly,
genial,
warm,
generous,
eager,
enthusiastic,
ardent,
cordial,
affable,
ebullient,
jovial,
effusive,
unreserved,
back-slapping
in the sense of helpful
Definition
giving help
The staff in the London office are helpful.
Synonyms
cooperative,
accommodating,
kind,
caring,
friendly,
neighbourly,
sympathetic,
supportive,
benevolent,
considerate,
beneficent
in the sense of humane
Definition
showing kindness and sympathy
Their aim is for a more just and humane society.
Synonyms
kind,
compassionate,
good,
kindly,
understanding,
gentle,
forgiving,
tender,
mild,
sympathetic,
charitable,
benign,
clement,
benevolent,
lenient,
merciful,
good-natured,
forbearing,
kind-hearted
in the sense of kind
Definition
considerate, friendly, and helpful
He was a very kind man, full of common sense.
Synonyms
considerate,
good,
loving,
kindly,
understanding,
concerned,
friendly,
neighbourly,
gentle,
generous,
mild,
obliging,
sympathetic,
charitable,
thoughtful,
benign,
humane,
affectionate,
compassionate,
clement,
gracious,
indulgent,
benevolent,
attentive,
amiable,
courteous,
amicable,
lenient,
cordial,
congenial,
philanthropic,
unselfish,
propitious,
beneficent,
kind-hearted,
bounteous,
tender-hearted
Additional synonyms
in the sense of kind-hearted
Definition
considerate and sympathetic
He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
Synonyms
sympathetic,
kind,
generous,
helpful,
tender,
humane,
compassionate,
gracious,
amicable,
considerate,
altruistic,
good-natured,
tender-hearted
in the sense of mild
Definition
gentle or temperate in character, climate, or behaviour
He is a mild man, reasonable almost to the point of blandness.
Synonyms
gentle,
kind,
easy,
soft,
pacific,
calm,
moderate,
forgiving,
tender,
pleasant,
mellow,
compassionate,
indulgent,
serene,
easy-going,
amiable,
meek,
placid,
docile,
merciful,
peaceable,
forbearing,
equable,
easy-oasy (slang),
chilled (informal)
in the sense of nice
Definition
kind
It was nice of you to go to so much trouble.
Synonyms
kind,
helpful,
obliging,
considerate
in the sense of sympathetic
Definition
feeling or showing kindness and understanding
It may be that he sees you only as a sympathetic friend.
Synonyms
caring,
kind,
understanding,
concerned,
feeling,
interested,
kindly,
warm,
tender,
pitying,
supportive,
responsive,
affectionate,
compassionate,
commiserating,
warm-hearted,
condoling
in the sense of warm
Definition
kindly or affectionate
We were instantly attracted by his warm personality.
Synonyms
affable,
kindly,
friendly,
affectionate,
loving,
happy,
tender,
pleasant,
cheerful,
hearty,
good-humoured,
amiable,
amicable,
cordial,
sociable,
genial,
congenial,
hospitable,
approachable,
amorous,
good-natured,
likable or likeable
in the sense of warm-hearted
Definition
kind, affectionate, or sympathetic
a good-natured and warm-hearted woman loved by everyone