# kindness

/ˈkaɪndnəs/ (US) · /kˈaɪndnəs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the quality of being kind

noun · CEFR A2

the quality of being friendly, generous, and caring toward other people.

For teachers: the abstract quality of being benevolent, considerate, or helpful. Uncountable in this sense.

- I will never forget the kindness she showed me when I first moved to this city.
- The nurse was celebrated for her extraordinary kindness and patience while caring for the most difficult patients in the ward.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to' or 'towards' when directed at someone.

### 2. a kind act

noun · CEFR B1

a specific helpful or generous thing that you do for someone.

For teachers: a specific instance or act of kind or charitable behaviour. Countable in this sense.

- He did me a great kindness by lending me his car for the weekend.
- She repaid his many kindnesses by supporting him through his long recovery after the accident.

Usage: Commonly used in the plural 'kindnesses' or with the verb 'do'.

Teaching tip: Learners often forget that 'kindness' can be countable when referring to specific actions.

## Examples

- She showed great kindness by helping the lost child.
- The local community was moved by the kindness of the stranger who donated his entire savings to the hospital.
- True kindness often manifests in small, quiet gestures that require no recognition but provide immense comfort to those in distress.

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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.