kindly
KYN-lee
Kindly (adj) means Warm-hearted, gentle, and considerate in nature. Example: “The kindly nurse patiently explained everything to the nervous patient.”
adj
1
Warm-hearted, gentle, and considerate in nature.
"The kindly nurse patiently explained everything to the nervous patient."
"A kindly shopkeeper let the boy pay for his sweets the next day."
"The kindly old man always had time to chat with the neighbourhood kids."
adv
1
In a caring or considerate manner.
"The teacher smiled kindly and told him not to worry about the mistake."
"She kindly offered to drive us to the station."
"He spoke kindly to the frightened child."
2
Used to make a polite request or command, especially when slightly firm or impatient.
"Kindly keep your voice down; people are trying to study."
"You are kindly requested to leave your bags at the front desk."
"Would you kindly close the door on your way out?"
How to use kindly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGentle and caring (adjective), or done in a caring way, or used to politely — sometimes pointedly — ask someone to do something.
Common mistake
In "kindly leave the room," the tone can actually sound sharp or annoyed rather than gentle — context matters.
Common pairings
kindly worded
would you kindly
treat someone kindly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- kindlier, more kindly
- Superlative
- kindliest, most kindly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ nurse patiently explained everything to the nervous patient.
Etymology
From Old English cyndelic, "natural, kindly," built from "kind" plus the adjective/adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
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benevolent
warm-hearted
compassionate
benignant
good-hearted
kind
kindhearted
humane
softhearted
tender
sympathetic
tenderhearted
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for kindly
See all rhymes for kindly →Frequently asked questions
What does “kindly” mean?
The word “kindly” means warm-hearted, gentle, and considerate in nature. In plain terms, gentle and caring (adjective), or done in a caring way, or used to politely — sometimes pointedly — ask someone to do something.
How do you pronounce “kindly”?
“Kindly” is pronounced KYN-lee (/ˈkaɪn(d)li/ in IPA).
How do you use “kindly” in a sentence?
Here is “kindly” used in a sentence: “The kindly old man always had time to chat with the neighbourhood kids.”
What is another word for “kindly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “kindly” include compassionate, benignant, good-hearted, kind, kindhearted and humane.
What is the opposite of “kindly”?
The opposite of “kindly” — its antonyms — are mean, stern, hateful, malicious and malevolent.
What part of speech is “kindly”?
Depending on how it is used, “kindly” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “kindly” come from?
The word “kindly” comes from Old English. From Old English cyndelic, "natural, kindly," built from "kind" plus the adjective/adverb-forming suffix "-ly.".
Is “kindly” a common word?
“Kindly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between kind and kindly?
Kind is an adjective meaning caring and considerate, as in "a kind gesture." Kindly can be an adjective describing a warm-hearted, gentle nature, as in "a kindly old man," or an adverb describing how something is done, as in "she kindly offered to help." So kindly covers both a personal quality and a manner of acting.
Is it rude to say "kindly" in an email?
It can come across that way. Kindly is used to make a polite request or command, but especially one that is slightly firm or impatient, so "kindly respond by Friday" can sound curt or schoolmasterly to some readers. "Please" is the safer, more neutral choice in most business emails.
Is it correct to call someone "a kindly person"?
Yes. As an adjective, kindly means warm-hearted, gentle, and considerate in nature, so "a kindly person" or "a kindly smile" is perfectly standard. This adjective use has a slightly gentle, old-fashioned flavour and is common in descriptions of character.
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