kind 1 (kīnd)
Share:
Tweet adj. kind·er, kind·est 1. Having or showing a friendly, generous, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature. 2. Agreeable or beneficial: a dry climate kind to asthmatics. [Middle English kinde, natural, kind, from Old English gecynde, natural; see genə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: kind1, kindly, kindhearted, benign, benevolent These adjectives mean having or showing a tender, considerate, and helping nature. Kind and kindly are the least specific: thanked her for her kind letter; a kindly gentleman. Kindhearted especially suggests an innately kind disposition: a kindhearted teacher. Benign implies gentleness and mildness: benign intentions; a benign sovereign. Benevolent suggests charitableness and a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others: a benevolent contributor. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.