# generous

/ˈdʒɛnɝəs/ (US) · /dʒˈɛnəɹəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/generous
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. giving money or time

adjective · CEFR B1

willing to give more money, help, or time than is usual or expected.

For teachers: willing to give or share unsparingly; demonstrating a readiness to provide more than is strictly required.

- It was very generous of you to pay for everyone's dinner tonight.
- The local community was incredibly generous, donating enough money to rebuild the youth centre within just three months.

### 2. large or plentiful

adjective · CEFR B2

larger or more plentiful than usual.

For teachers: larger, more ample, or more copious than is standard or necessary.

- The hotel served a generous breakfast with eggs, fruit, and fresh bread.
- The chef added a generous portion of herbs to the sauce, giving the dish a rich and complex flavour profile.

### 3. kind and noble

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

kind and forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.

For teachers: noble in behaviour or spirit; showing a lack of pettiness or resentment.

- He was generous enough to admit that his opponent had played a better game.
- Despite the harsh criticism he received, the author remained generous in his praise for the younger generation of writers.

## Examples

- She is very generous with her time and always helps others.
- The charity received a generous donation that allowed them to build a new community center for the neighborhood.
- The contract offers a generous benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance and an unusually high number of paid vacation days for entry-level employees.

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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.