generosity
/dʒɛnəˈrɒsəti
/noun [mass noun]
1The quality of being kind and generous: I was overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and neighbours...
- The couple say they have been left speechless by the kindness and generosity of friends and neighbours.
- The generosity of friends and supporters kept them going during the bleakest periods.
- They made many friends and were struck by the kindness, generosity and optimism of the local people.
Synonyms
liberality, lavishness, magnanimity, magnanimousness, munificence, open-handedness, free-handedness, bounty, unselfishness, indulgence, prodigality, princeliness
literary bounteousness
rare benignancy, liberalness
magnanimity, kindness, kindliness, benevolence, beneficence, altruism, charity, philanthropism, nobility, nobleness, loftiness, high-mindedness, big-heartedness, honourableness, honour, goodness, unselfishness, self-sacrifice, lack of prejudice, disinterest
2The quality or fact of being plentiful or large: diners certainly cannot complain about the generosity of portions...
- The generosity was in keeping with the large portion sizes in general.
Synonyms
abundance, plentifulness, copiousness, amplitude, profuseness, richness, lavishness, liberality, munificence, largeness, superabundance, infinity, inexhaustibility, opulence
literary bounteousness, plenteousness
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting nobility of birth): from Latin generositas, from generosus 'magnanimous' (see generous). Current senses date from the 17th century.