Generous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈje-nə-rəs/ gen·er·ous

Meaning & Definition of Generous

Generous (adjective)

  1. liberal in giving, openhanded
  2. marked by abundance or ample proportions, copious
  3. characterized by a noble or kindly spirit, magnanimous, kindly

Generous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

    "a civic leader who is very generous with his money and time"

    similar: bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, liberal, munificent, open, openhanded, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting
    related: extravagant, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, big, greathearted, largehearted, magnanimous, openhearted, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindly, samaritan, sympathetic
    opposite: cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal (archaic), mingy, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous
    near: mean, petty, small, frugal, spare, sparing, thrifty, chary, stinting, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful

  2. being more than enough without being excessive

    "mashed potatoes with a generous serving of butter"

    similar: abundant, ample, aplenty, bounteous, bountiful, comfortable, cornucopian, galore, liberal, plenteous, plentiful, plenty, all kinds of, thick on the ground
    related: extra, supernumerary, surplus, abounding, blooming, overflowing, plump, replete, rich, rife, teeming, wealthy, adequate, enough, sufficient, fat, fecund, fertile, fruitful, luxuriant, prodigal, prolific, copious, fulsome, lavish, profuse
    opposite: bare, minimal, scant, spare
    near: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, wanting, meager, stingy, skimpy, least, minimum, light, slight, small, barren, infertile, sterile, unfruitful, unproductive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Generous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Generous:

bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, liberal, munificent, open, openhanded, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting, abundant, ample, aplenty, comfortable, cornucopian, galore, plenteous, plentiful, plenty, all kinds of, thick on the ground

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Generous

Words with the opposite meaning of Generous:

cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal, mingy, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous, bare, minimal, scant, spare

Related Words for Generous

extravagant, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, big, greathearted, largehearted, magnanimous, openhearted, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindly, samaritan, sympathetic, extra, supernumerary, surplus, abounding, blooming, overflowing, plump, replete

Near Antonyms of Generous

mean, petty, small, frugal, sparing, thrifty, chary, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful, deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, wanting, meager, skimpy, least

Word Forms of Generous

Derived words: generously (adverb), generousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Generous

Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus

First known use: 1574

Frequently Asked Questions about Generous

What does "Generous" mean?

"Generous" means liberal in giving, openhanded. As an adjective, it is defined as: liberal in giving, openhanded. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Generous"?

Other words for "Generous" include bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted and fulsome. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Generous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Generous"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Generous". Common alternatives include bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, liberal and munificent.

What is the opposite of "Generous"?

Antonyms of "Generous" include cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal, mingy, miserly and parsimonious. Near antonyms include mean, petty, small and frugal.

How do you use "Generous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Generous" in a sentence: "a civic leader who is very generous with his money and time"; "mashed potatoes with a generous serving of butter".

Is "Generous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Generous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Generous"?

"Generous" is pronounced /ˈje-nə-rəs/ and divided into syllables as gen·er·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Generous"?

"Generous" comes from Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus. First known use: 1574.