adj

kindly

KYN-lee

adj

Warm-hearted, gentle, and considerate in nature.

"The kindly old man always had time to chat with the neighbourhood kids."

adv

In a caring or considerate manner.

"She kindly offered to drive us to the station."

"He spoke kindly to the frightened child."

Used to make a polite request or command, especially when slightly firm or impatient.

"Would you kindly close the door on your way out?"

How to Use Kindly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGentle and caring (adjective), or done in a caring way, or used to politely — sometimes pointedly — ask someone to do something.

Common mistake

In "kindly leave the room," the tone can actually sound sharp or annoyed rather than gentle — context matters.

Common pairings

kindly worded would you kindly treat someone kindly

kindlier comparative, kindlier comparative, more kindly comparative, kindliest superlative, kindliest superlative, most kindly superlative

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The _____ old man always had time to chat with the neighbourhood kids.

From Old English cyndelic, "natural, kindly," built from "kind" plus the adjective/adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

compassionate benignant good-hearted kind kindhearted humane softhearted tender sympathetic tenderhearted warmhearted attentive

mean stern hateful malicious malevolent spiteful virulent barbarous

kind hard cruel Christian sharp evil class nice

blindly

compassionate benignant good-hearted kind kindhearted humane softhearted tender sympathetic tenderhearted warmhearted attentive