kindly
/ˈkʌɪndli
/adverb
1In a kind manner: ‘Never mind,’ she said kindly...
- To put it kindly, the manner in which juniors are treated varies a great deal from club to club.
- No matter what the period was and what the issues were, the leadership has always regarded kindly and respected the China Youth Daily.
- Jack Clancy of Clancy's Bar has kindly provided generous sponsorship to subsidise transport to Coleraine.
Synonyms
benevolently, good-naturedly, warmly, affectionately, tenderly, lovingly, compassionately;
considerately, thoughtfully, helpfully, obligingly, generously, selflessly, unselfishly, graciously, indulgently, sympathetically, leniently, charitably
1.1Please (used in a polite request or demand, often ironically): would you kindly explain what you’re talking about?...
- I would request you to kindly alter the duration of a day on earth from the present 24 hours to 32 hours.
- We are requesting the public to kindly organise a Coffee Day in your own home, work place, or local area.
- Can someone kindly explain to me what all the recent fuss is about on the freedom pass issue.
Synonyms
please, if you please, if you would be so good, if you wouldn't mind, have the goodness to, pray;
French s'il vous plaît
archaic prithee
adjective (kindlier, kindliest)
Kind, warm-hearted, or gentle: he was a quiet, kindly man...
- Michael, or Girders, as he was affectionately known, was a good father and grandad, kindly neighbour and friend.
- I'm aware that's a generalisation, and that there may be some gentle, kindly drivers somewhere in the country, but I haven't found one yet.
- The child know that he or she is loved because in these kindly acts and gentle deeds, love is conveyed, beyond words.
Synonyms
benevolent, kind, kind-hearted, warm-hearted, generous, good-natured, humane;
gentle, warm, mild, compassionate, caring, tender-hearted, soft-hearted, tender, loving, loving and giving, motherly, fatherly, benign, mellow, well meaning, genial;
indulgent, understanding, sympathetic, lenient, tolerant, charitable, magnanimous, easy-going, patient;
helpful, thoughtful, considerate, good, good-hearted, nice, friendly, neighbourly, pleasant, amiable, agreeable, affable, amicable
British informal decent
rare benignant
Phrases
look kindly on
not take kindly to
take something kindly
thank someone kindly
Origin
Old English: adverb from gecyndelīce 'naturally, characteristically' (see kind2, -ly2); adjective from gecyndelīc 'natural' (see kind1, -ly1).