kindly

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English

Etymology 1

From Middle English kyndely, kyndeliche, from Old English cyndelīċ (“natural, kindly”); equivalent to kind +‎ -ly (adjectival suffix).

Pronunciation

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  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

kindly (comparative kindlier, superlative kindliest)

  1. Having a kind personality; kind, warmhearted, sympathetic.
    A kindly old man sits on the park bench every afternoon feeding pigeons.
    • (Can we date this quote by Tennyson and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      The shade by which my life was crossed […] has made me kindly with my kind.
  2. (dated) Favourable, gentle, pleasant, tidy, auspicious, beneficent.
    • (Can we date this quote by Alexander Pope and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      In soft silence shed the kindly shower.
    • (Can we date this quote by Wordsworth and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      should e'er a kindlier time ensue
  3. (archaic) Lawful.
  4. (obsolete) Natural; inherent to the kind or race.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Book of Common Prayer
      the kindly fruits of the earth
    • (Can we date this quote by Spenser and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      an herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting
    • (Can we date this quote by L. Andrews and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly for Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men.

Derived terms

Translations

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Etymology 2

From kind +‎ -ly (adverbial suffix).

Adverb

kindly (comparative more kindly, superlative most kindly)

  1. In a kind manner, out of kindness.
    He kindly offered to take us to the station in his car.
    • 1900, L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23
      She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl.
  2. In a favourable way.
    • 2011 October 29, Neil Johnston, “Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn”, in BBC Sport‎[1]:
      Aguero was quick to block Hennessey's attempted clearance and the ball bounced kindly to Dzeko, who had the simplest of tasks to put City ahead.
  3. Please; used to make a polite request.
    Kindly refrain from walking on the grass.
    Kindly move your car out of the front yard.
  4. (US) With kind acceptance; used with take.
    I don't take kindly to threats.
    Aunt Daisy didn't take it kindly when we forgot her anniversary.
    When I ask kindly, I don't expect to repeat myself.
  5. (dialectal) Kind of, somewhat.
  6. (archaic) Readily.
  7. (obsolete) Naturally.

Usage notes

  • (please): Kindly is used in a slightly more peremptory way than please. It is generally used to introduce a request with which the person addressed is expected to comply, and takes the edge off what would otherwise be a command.
  • (with kind acceptance): This sense is a negative polarity item; it is usually found in questions and negative statements, as in the above example sentences.

Synonyms

Translations

References

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