# generosity

/ˌdʒɛnɝˈɑsəti/ (US) · /dʒˌɛnəɹˈɒsɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/generosity
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. willingness to give

noun · CEFR B1

the quality of being kind and sharing your money, time, or things with others.

For teachers: the quality of being kind and generous; the willingness to give money, help, or time freely. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

- We were all touched by her generosity when she offered to pay for our lunch.
- The local community was overwhelmed by the generosity of the anonymous donor who funded the new library wing.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'towards' or 'to'.

### 2. a generous act

noun · CEFR B2

a specific act of being kind or giving something to someone.

For teachers: a specific instance or act of giving. Countable in this sense.

- The family thanked him for his many generosities over the years.
- The biography details the various generosities the philanthropist performed throughout his life, many of which were kept secret until his death.

Usage: Usually used in the plural to describe multiple kind actions.

### 3. abundance

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the quality of being plentiful or having a large amount of something.

For teachers: the quality of being abundant or more than adequate in amount or size.

- The generosity of the harvest meant that no one in the village went hungry.
- The chef was known for the generosity of his portions, ensuring that every guest left the restaurant fully satisfied.

Usage: Often used to describe natural resources or portions of food.

### 4. noble birth

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

coming from a high social class or a noble family.

For teachers: nobility of birth, stock, or character.

- The knight was respected for his generosity and his brave heart.
- In the old tales, a man's generosity was judged as much by his lineage as by his actions on the battlefield.

Teaching tip: This sense is rarely encountered outside of historical literature or classical texts.

## Examples

- Her generosity helped the local school buy new books.
- The charity was overwhelmed by the generosity of the public after the natural disaster.
- While the donor's financial generosity was significant, his willingness to mentor young entrepreneurs proved to be his most lasting contribution to the community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.