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

Starting with the people who are more likely to respond kindly or beginning with a less-charged topic is a way to foster important connections while prioritizing your needs.

From Salon

Our kindly incoming president has thought about nothing but all of us and how to sell us presents we don’t need.

From Salon

“I just request people kindly don’t watch it on a mobile phone, but to make sure that they’ve got a nice big screen they can watch it on,” he says, smiling.

From Los Angeles Times

"We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal," the statement said.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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