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generous
/ˈdʒɛnərəs/
willing to give more
She was generous with her time, helping students even after school hours.
She willingly gave more of her time than expected, assisting students beyond regular hours.
neutral
willing to give money, help, or kindness freely and without expecting anything in return
The generous donor funded the entire project without asking for recognition.
The person who gave freely covered all costs of the project without seeking praise.
He’s generous to a fault, always putting others’ needs before his own.
He gives so much that it may not always be healthy for him.
Often implies a sense of abundance or willingness beyond what is required.
neutral
larger or more plentiful than is usual or necessary
The generous portions at the buffet left everyone satisfied.
The servings were larger than typical, ensuring full satisfaction.
Commonly used for food, gifts, or other tangible offerings.
Collocations
generous withwilling to share freelygenerous gifta large or thoughtful presentgenerous tipa larger-than-usual gratuitygenerous hearta kind and giving nature
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'generative'
Generous describes giving behavior, while generative relates to creation (e.g., a generative AI model). They are unrelated despite similar roots.
Gold Rule
Use 'generous' for intent, not outcome
A generous person is judged by their willingness to give, not whether the recipient benefits. A 'generous' donation might still be insufficient for a large project.
Word Origin
From Latin *generōsus* ('of noble birth'), derived from *genus* ('race, kind'), via Old French *generos*. Originally implied nobility of character, later shifting to the modern sense of liberality.
Usage Notes
Describes both people and things (e.g., generous portions). Avoid overusing in formal contexts where 'liberal' might imply political leanings. In financial contexts, 'generous' often refers to rewards or benefits exceeding expectations.
Word Breakdown
gener-
from Latin *genus* (race, kind)
root-ous
suffix forming adjectives (full of)
suffixEnglish Dictionary