Standard Lemma guide

generously

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: JH EH1 N ER0 AH0 S L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a generous manner, in a way that is giving or ample.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He generously donated what little he could.
  • The dessert generously filled a large plate.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a generous manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he gave liberally to several charities

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: liberally, munificently

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English generous Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English generously From generous + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: generosament — in a generous manner
  • Esperanto: malavare — in a generous manner
  • Esperanto: grandanime — in a generous manner
  • Finnish: anteliaasti — in a generous manner
  • Galician: xenerosamente — in a generous manner
  • Latin: largē — in a generous manner
  • Norman: génétheusement — in a generous manner
  • Polish: hojnie — in a generous manner
  • Portuguese: generosamente — in a generous manner
  • Russian: великодушно (velikodušno) — in a generous manner
  • Spanish: generosamente — in a generous manner