generous
1 antonyms and opposites of generous, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Willing to give more than is expected or required, especially money, time, or help.
Antonyms
How to use generous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin generosus ("of noble birth"), from genus ("stock, race") — nobility of birth came to imply nobility of character, hence generosity.
Full origin of generous →Frequently asked questions
What does “generous” mean?
The word “generous” means willing to give more than is expected or required, especially money, time, or help. In plain terms, giving freely, or larger/more plentiful than strictly needed.
How do you pronounce “generous”?
“Generous” is pronounced JEHN-ruhs (/ˈd͡ʒɛn(ə)ɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “generous” in a sentence?
Here is “generous” used in a sentence: “It was generous of them to cover the whole bill.”
What is another word for “generous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “generous” include charitable, fouthy, free, frolic, giftful and giving.
What is the opposite of “generous”?
The opposite of “generous” — its antonyms — is stingy.
What part of speech is “generous”?
“Generous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “generous” come from?
The word “generous” comes from Latin. From Latin generosus ("of noble birth"), from genus ("stock, race") — nobility of birth came to imply nobility of character, hence generosity.
Is “generous” a common word?
“Generous” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "generous" and "kind"?
"Kind" describes warm, caring behaviour in general, while "generous" specifically means willing to give more than is expected, especially money, time, or help. A person can be kind without being generous, and generous without being especially kind.
Can "generous" describe an amount rather than a person?
Yes. Besides describing people, "generous" can mean larger or more plentiful than necessary, as in a generous helping of pasta or a generous discount. In this sense it is close to "ample" or "plentiful."
What preposition follows "generous"?
"Generous" is usually followed by "with" (generous with her time) or "to" (generous to strangers). The pattern "it was generous of you" is also standard when praising a specific action.