generous — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous.

   Examples

   Thank you for your generous words.

   More examples (1)

   Although the extension to Crewe carried the line much nearer to the town, it was decided to retain this station, and a large enclosure there was roofed over to accommodate third class passengers (the M.B.R. was more generous than most railways in its treatment of what were then known as the "lower orders").

2. Willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed.

   Synonyms

   freebountifulgiving

   Examples

   She's been extremely generous with her winnings.

3. Large; more than ample; copious.

   Examples

   Add a generous helping of mayonnaise.

   his generous buttocks

   More examples (3)

   Incoherency had overtaken his speech, but he was unaware of it. Nor did he connect the smashing of a bottle with the generous curve of his transit.

   [H]is hard jaw worked slowly upon a generous mouthful of plug cut.

   The ice cream parlors served generous scoops, hand-dipped by college-bound teenagers who spoke through colorful orthodontia.

4. Invigorating in its nature.

   Examples

   a generous wine

5. Of noble birth.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Adjective

1. willing to give and share unstintingly

   Antonyms

   stingy

   Examples

   a generous donation

2. not petty in character and mind

   Antonyms

   ungenerous

   Examples

   unusually generous in his judgment of people

3. more than is usual or necessary

   Examples

   a generous portion