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

/ 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. to react unfavourably towards

Other Word Forms

• kindliness 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

The idea is that they may have received a break on the loan terms — a lower down payment required, or a lower interest rate charge — because lenders think kindlier of borrowers for primary residences.

From Los Angeles Times

She asked for £30 for petrol to take her nephews and nieces out - but he kindly sent her £80.

From BBC

In a letter to Evatt, Churchill said he was "grieved" to report that the platypus "kindly" sent to him had died in the final stretch of the journey.

From BBC

"We will continue to be united as loving parents to our children and would therefore kindly ask for our family privacy to be respected. There will be no further comment."

From BBC

When left to his own devices, Sandler’s style of comedy isn’t exactly — how do I put this kindly — pleasant to ingest in massive quantities.

From Salon

Related Words

• affectionately 
• delicately 
• generously www.thesaurus.com
• genially 
• graciously 
• helpfully www.thesaurus.com
• politely 
• sympathetically www.thesaurus.com
• tenderly 
• thoughtfully www.thesaurus.com