kindly
adv. · adj.-
1 polite request (adv.) B1 Intermediate Formala polite way to say 'please' when asking someone to do something.
used as a polite marker in requests or instructions, often to soften a command or maintain formal decorum.
ExampleKindly close the door behind you when you leave the office.
ExampleThe department head requested that all staff members kindly submit their expense reports before the end of the fiscal quarter.
UsageUsually placed before the verb in a request.
- please
- obligingly
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2 in a nice way (adv.) B1 Intermediatedoing something in a caring, helpful, or friendly manner.
in a kind, benevolent, or sympathetic manner.
ExampleThe old man smiled kindly at the children playing in the park.
ExampleShe spoke kindly to the nervous intern, offering constructive feedback that helped build his confidence during the first week.
- unkindly
- harshly
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3 having a nice personality (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Literaryhaving a friendly and caring nature.
possessing or displaying a sympathetic, warmhearted, or benevolent nature.
ExampleShe was a kindly woman who always helped her neighbours.
ExampleThe village doctor was a kindly soul, known for visiting patients late at night without ever mentioning the cost of his services.
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4 somewhat (adv.) C2 Proficiency Dialecta little bit or somewhat.
used to mean 'kind of' or 'to some extent'.
ExampleIt is getting kindly late, so we should probably head home.
ExampleThe weather turned kindly cold toward the evening, catching the hikers without their heavy coats.
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to certain regional dialects and is rarely encountered in standard international English.
From Middle English kyndely, kyndeliche, from Old English cyndelīċ (“natural, kindly”); equivalent to kind + -ly.
From Middle English kyndely, kyndly, kyndeliche, from Old English ġecyndelīċe, equivalent to kind + -ly.