generous

From Middle French genereux, and its source, Latin generōsus (“of noble birth”), from genus (“race, stock”).

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɛn(ə)ɹəs/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

generous (comparative more generous, superlative most generous)

1. Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous. [from 16th c.]

   Thank you for your generous words.

   • 1957 September, M. D. Greville and G. O. Holt, “Railway Development in Manchester—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 618:

     Although the extension to Crewe carried the line much nearer to the town, it was decided to retain this station, and a large enclosure there was roofed over to accommodate third class passengers (the M.B.R. was more generous than most railways in its treatment of what were then known as the "lower orders").

2. Willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed. [from 17th c.]

   Synonym: free

   She's been extremely generous with her winnings.

3. Large, more than ample, copious. [from 17th c.]

   Add a generous helping of mayonnaise.

   his generous buttocks

   • 1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 4:

     [H]is hard jaw worked slowly upon a generous mouthful of plug cut.

   • 2018, Tayari Jones, An American Marriage, Oneworld Publications, page 226:

     The ice cream parlors served generous scoops, hand-dipped by college-bound teenagers who spoke through colorful orthodontia.

4. Invigorating in its nature.

   a generous wine

5. (obsolete) Of noble birth. [16th–19th c.]

• See also Thesaurus:generous

• generosity