Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adj. Liberal in giving or sharing. See Synonyms at liberal.
- adj. Characterized by nobility and forbearance in thought or behavior; magnanimous.
- adj. Marked by abundance; ample: a generous slice of cake.
- adj. Having a rich bouquet and flavor: a generous wine.
- adj. Obsolete Of noble lineage.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- Being of noble or honorable birth or origin; well-born.
- Possessed of or showing blood or breeding; spirited; courageous; thoroughbred.
- Noble in character or quality; honorable; magnanimous.
- Liberal; bountiful; munificent: as, a generous giver or gift.
- Strong; full of spirit: as, generous wine.
- Full; overflowing; abundant: as, a generous cup; a generous table.
- Synonyms Magnanimous, etc. (see noble); high-minded.
- Open-handed; free-handed.
GNU Webster's 1913
- adj. obsolete Of honorable birth or origin; highborn.
- adj. Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly reregarded as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous; spirited; courageous.
- adj. Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly; munificent.
- adj. Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing.
- adj. Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting.
WordNet 3.0
- adj. more than adequate
- adj. not petty in character and mind
- adj. willing to give and share unstintingly
Etymologies
- From Middle French genereux, and its source, Latin generōsus ("of noble birth"), from genus ("race, stock"). (Wiktionary)
- French genereux, of noble birth, magnanimous, from Latin generōsus, from genus, gener-, birth; see genə- in Indo-European roots. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“_your_ thoughts; but, as we once more note that puzzled look, think your generous heart and honest nature deserve more _generous_ treatment.”
“States are grappling with record budget deficits, which some governors have tried to close by trimming what they call the generous benefits enjoyed by public employees.”
The Washington Post: Wisconsin Assembly approves bill to slash union rights for public workers
“States are grappling with record budget deficits, which some governors have tried to close by trimming what they call the generous benefits public employees receive.”
The Washington Post: Republican Wisconsin senators bypass Democrats in vote on collective bargaining
“MOSCOW — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took Russian sports officials to task Friday over the nation's dismal showing at the Vancouver Games, despite what he described as generous state funding.”
The Huffington Post: Putin SCOLDS Russian Athletes For Olympics Flop
“White House Press Secretary Tony Snow today declared the Bush administration might withdraw what they call their generous offer to allow current and former officials to meet with members of Congress.”
“Just days after Wal-Mart unveiled what it termed a generous new health care plan, "The New York Times" obtained an internal memo which shows the retailing giant is still looking to cut health care costs.”
“If I have done what you call a generous, noble deed, this is the first I have heard of it.”
“The reaction to Wednesday's news by many across the region was: This is what you call generous?”
“Slow Olympic Start Stirs Russian Angst political pressure at home Thursday to step up its performance at the Winter sports officials to task Friday over the nation's dismal showing at the Games, despite what he described as generous ... sports officials step down over the country's dismal performance at the in”
WN.com - Articles related to Sochi: Russian Olympic Scandals, Short Funds, Strike
“Vladimir Putin took Russian sports officials to task Friday over the nation's dismal showing at the Vancouver Games, despite what he described as generous state funding.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘generous’.
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CULI - wine-tasting adjectives
In this area of expertise nouns are frequently used as adjectives (almond, bacon, cider, diesel, fennel, fresh-cut hay, wool) or new adjectives are formed (appley, berrylike, citrusy, full-bodied, ...
acetic, acidic, aged, angular, appley, astringent, attractive, austere, berrylike, big, bitter, brawny and 511 more...
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RELI - words with Biblical connotations
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common UA vocab. in US
Interesting, there is a traditional vocabulary of an Ukrainian, that differs from vocabulary of average American. It would be nice to explore it.
jackdaw, incongruous, cassock, vivid, magpie, humdrum, amongst, wonder, wandering, wheedling, wheedle, osseous and 368 more...
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POL - campaign tokenisms
Positive words and vague promises. THE words and expressions to use when you want to win over the masses or just don't know what to say.
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emo words
feelings...blah, blah, blah, feelings...
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Trying to say something nice to a chesterfield? Here are some suggestions:
crafted, designer, solid, ephemeral, classic, versatile, comfortable, innovative, sturdy, lightweight, colorfast, graceful and 26 more...
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akin
-gen
“that which produces,â€
(Origin:
F -gène
Gk. genés 'born, produced';
L. genus, 'kin')mutagen, mutagenesis, pathogen, pathogenesis, progeny, mitogen, parthenogenesis, transgene, mucinogen, myogenic, autogenic, endogenous and 83 more...
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diioxyde's Words
macabre, egypt, egyptology, queen, love, sex, sister, lover, web, cobweb, line, circle and 223 more...
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eggplantia5's Words
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jagosaurus's favorites
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Basic English Vocabulary
Very basic words for ESL students.
a, abandon, ability, able, abortion, about, above, abroad, absence, absolute, absolutely, absorb and 4334 more...
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What a concept
surrender, submit, yield, self-sacrifice, relent, capitulate, compromise, accommodate, commiserate, forgive, placate, give and 94 more...
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my dictionary
able, abnormally, abroad, absent, abstract, acceptable, acceptance, access, accessible, accession, according to, account and 4551 more...
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SAT
abandon,extreme e..., abash,to humiliate, abate,to lessen, abbreviate,to sho..., abridge, abdicate,to forma..., aberration,depart..., abnormality, abet,to encourage, abhor,to hate, abide,to follow o..., abject,utterly ho... and 2228 more...
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junestag's Words
postmodernism, cat, fish, rabbit, dell, coffee, elearning, mazda, php, mysql, flash, blogger and 755 more...
Tweets
Looking for tweets for generous.
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