generous

adjective

gen·​er·​ous ˈje-nə-rəs How to pronounce generous (audio)
ˈjen-rə-
1
a
: liberal in giving : openhanded
a generous benefactor
b
: marked by abundance or ample proportions
wide overhangs and generous verandasLewis Mumford
: copious
a thin salt-and-pepper moustache interrupted by a generous noseRichard Zabel
c
: characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous, kindly
a generous heart
2
archaic : highborn
generously adverb
generousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for generous

liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly.

liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Examples of generous in a Sentence

The school raised the money through donations from generous alumni. He was generous with both his time and his money. She has always been very generous toward the poor. This restaurant is known for its generous portions. a generous helping of mashed potatoes She has a generous heart. He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Get the Recipe 18 of 25 Fresh Peach Cobbler During sweltering summer months in the South, nothing hits the spot quite like peach cobbler with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025 May 2025 be a year of good fortune with a generous dose of sanity. Michella Oré, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2024 Our expert take The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus. Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024 His crispy jeon, a savory seafood pancake, is shot through with strands of scallions, topped with creamy aioli and a generous shaving of bonito flakes that dances as the plate approaches your table. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for generous 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of generous was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near generous

Cite this Entry

“Generous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generous. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

generous

adjective
gen·​er·​ous ˈjen-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce generous (audio)
1
: free in giving or sharing
2
3
: abundant
a generous supply
generously adverb
generousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on generous

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