kindly

[ kahynd-lee ]

adjective

, kind·li·er, kind·li·est.

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

/ ˈkaɪndlɪ /

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈkindliness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English kyndly (adjective and adverb), Old English gecyndelīc “natural,” gecyndelīce “naturally”; kind ¹, -ly

Idioms and Phrases

see take kindly to .

Synonym Study

See kind ¹.

Example Sentences

Three minutes later and Arsenal grabbed another as Henry's cross missed Ljungberg in the middle but fell kindly for Edu, who passed into an open goal.

From BBC

Verstappen did not take kindly to the penalties, and his race engineer Giampiero Lambiase told him they came after a lot of “whingeing”.

From BBC

They added: "We request Amy's privacy in matters of health is kindly respected."

From BBC

The boy did not take the comments kindly, but he went on his way.

From BBC

If for some reason you do not like a question, kindly say, “I am not interested in answering this question. Next question, please.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affectionately
• delicately
• generously
• genially
• graciously
• helpfully
• politely
• sympathetically
• tenderly
• thoughtfully