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View synonyms for

kindly

[ kahynd-lee ]

adjective

kindlier, kindliest.
  1. having, showing, or proceeding from a benevolent disposition or spirit; kindhearted:

    kindly people.

  2. gentle or mild, as rule or laws.
  3. pleasant, agreeable, or benign:

    kindly climate.

  4. favorable, as soil for crops.


adverb

  1. in a kind manner; with sympathetic or helpful kindness.
  2. cordially or heartily:

    We thank you kindly.

  3. obligingly; please:

    Would you kindly close the door?

  4. with liking; favorably:

    to take kindly to an idea.

kindly

/ ˈ첹ɪԻɪ /

adjective

  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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. in a considerate or humane way
  2. with tolerance or forbearance

    he kindly forgave my rudeness

  3. cordially; pleasantly

    he greeted us kindly

  4. please (often used to express impatience or formality)

    will you kindly behave yourself!

  5. archaic.
    in accordance with nature; appropriately
  6. not take kindly to
    to react unfavourably towards
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ쾱ԻԱ, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of kindly1

First recorded before 900; Middle English kyndly (adjective and adverb), Old English 𳦲Իī “nٳܰ,” 𳦲Իīe “nٳܰ”; kind 1, -ly
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Idioms and Phrases

see take kindly to .
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Synonym Study

See kind 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But the Magic Circle did not take kindly to the news.

From

At the outset of the film’s narrative, Rickey is kindly asked to leave a grief support group that he’s all but taken over after the death of his father.

From

While some critics have accused Mantel of promoting anti-Catholic propaganda and treating Cromwell a little too kindly, she, unlike Foxe, does not shy away from the blood that trails Cromwell's ascent.

From

And if you’re brave enough to step deeper into the lot, yet clearly not confident in ascertaining a Golden Pothos from a Pothos N’Joy, a woman with a warm smile will approach you kindly.

From

"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time but we kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time."

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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