generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈje-nə-rəs 

ˈjen-rə-

1

a

: liberal in giving : openhanded

a generous benefactor

b

: marked by abundance or ample proportions

wide overhangs and generous verandas

—Lewis Mumford

: copious

a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous nose

—Richard Zabel

c

: characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous, kindly

a generous heart

2

archaic : highborn

generously adverb

generousness noun

Synonyms

• bighearted
• bounteous
• bountiful
• charitable
• free
• freehanded
• freehearted
• fulsome
• liberal
• munificent
• open
• openhanded
• unselfish
• unsparing
• unstinting

Choose the Right Synonym for generous

liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly.

liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Examples of generous in a Sentence

The school raised the money through donations from generous alumni.

He was generous with both his time and his money.

She has always been very generous toward the poor.

This restaurant is known for its generous portions.

a generous helping of mashed potatoes

She has a generous heart.

He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still waiting for an organ, Richard relented, deciding to accept his friend’s generous offer. —Allan Chernoff, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2025

Viewpoints on responsible relief As an example of how tax reform could be undertaken responsibly, Kelly alluded to her signature policy priority, Medicaid expansion, suggesting that its enactment could offset generous tax relief. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025

Polestar was laser-focused on the US market with the Polestar 3, a three-row SUV manufactured at its factory in South Carolina in order to qualify for generous incentives under the Biden administration. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025

Toss to coat, then season with a generous pinch of kosher salt and a good grind of black pepper. —Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈjen-(ə-)rəs 

1

: free in giving or sharing

2

: noble entry 1 sense 5, high-minded

3

: abundant

a generous supply

generously adverb

generousness noun