generosity
gb/d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈɑsəti/ us/d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈɑsəti/
B1
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
property
1
willingness to give or share freely
The quality of wanting to give more help, money, or kindness than is needed.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s generosity toward [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'generosity' with 'generousness'. While both are correct, 'generosity' is far more common in modern English.
Synonyms
liberality (Slightly more formal; often used in political or cultural contexts.)
|
kindness (Broader and more about caring behavior, not just giving.)
Antonyms
stinginess (Refers to an unwillingness to give or spend.)
|
selfishness (Focuses on putting one's own needs before others'.)
Collocations
show generosity
|act of generosity
|display generosity
|generosity toward others
|remarkable generosity
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|values
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her generosity toward the homeless inspired the whole community.
- We were moved by his generosity in paying for everyone's meal.
- The charity relies on the generosity of ordinary people.
- He showed great generosity by donating half his salary.
- Their generosity made it possible for the school to buy new computers.
Learner examples
- She showed generosity to her friends.
- His generosity helped many poor people.
- The teacher thanked the students for their generosity.
- Generosity is important in our family.
- We will never forget your generosity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
generosity
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈɑsəti/
US/d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈɑsəti/
Syllables & stress
gen - er - os - ity (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (er)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: generosity
- Plural: generosities, generosity
Word family
Forms
generosities
noun
Core family
generous
adjective B1
generously
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
ungenerous
adjective
ungenerously
adverb
Expressions
act of generosity
1/ˈækt əv d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
a single generous action
One thing that someone does to give or help more than needed.
Examples
- Paying for the stranger's groceries was a real act of generosity.
- The anonymous gift was a touching act of generosity.
out of the goodness of one's heart
1/ˈaʊt əv ðə ɡˈʊdnəs əv wˈʌnz hˈɑɹt/
idiom
do something only from kindness
To do something because you are kind, not because you want a reward.
Examples
- He helped her move out of the goodness of his heart.
- They donated the money out of the goodness of their hearts.
show generosity
1/ʃˈoʊ d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈɑsəti/
fixed phrase
to display generous behavior
To act in a way that gives or helps more than is needed.
Examples
- She always shows generosity to her neighbors.
- He showed generosity by helping the team without being asked.