# kindly

/ˈkaɪndɫi/ (US) · /kˈaɪndli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. polite request

adverb · CEFR B1 · Formal

a polite way to say 'please' when asking someone to do something.

For teachers: used as a polite marker in requests or instructions, often to soften a command or maintain formal decorum.

- Kindly close the door behind you when you leave the office.
- The department head requested that all staff members kindly submit their expense reports before the end of the fiscal quarter.

Usage: Usually placed before the verb in a request.

### 2. in a nice way

adverb · CEFR B1

doing something in a caring, helpful, or friendly manner.

For teachers: in a kind, benevolent, or sympathetic manner.

- The old man smiled kindly at the children playing in the park.
- She spoke kindly to the nervous intern, offering constructive feedback that helped build his confidence during the first week.

### 3. having a nice personality

adjective · CEFR B2 · Literary

having a friendly and caring nature.

For teachers: possessing or displaying a sympathetic, warmhearted, or benevolent nature.

- She was a kindly woman who always helped her neighbours.
- The village doctor was a kindly soul, known for visiting patients late at night without ever mentioning the cost of his services.

### 4. somewhat

adverb · CEFR C2 · Dialect

a little bit or somewhat.

For teachers: used to mean 'kind of' or 'to some extent'.

- It is getting kindly late, so we should probably head home.
- The weather turned kindly cold toward the evening, catching the hikers without their heavy coats.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to certain regional dialects and is rarely encountered in standard international English.

## Examples

- She smiled kindly at the nervous child.
- The librarian kindly offered to help me find the rare book I was looking for.
- The elderly gentleman spoke kindly of his former colleagues, emphasizing their dedication and the collaborative spirit they had shared during his long tenure at the firm.

---

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.