kindness
gb/kˈaɪndnəs/ us/kˈaɪndnəs/
A2
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
property
1
Friendly and generous behavior
The quality of being nice and helpful to other people.
Usage pattern:
to show [kindness] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'kindness' with 'kind', using 'kind' where the noun form is required. For example, saying 'She showed kind' instead of 'She showed kindness'.
Synonyms
goodness (Emphasizes moral virtue rather than interpersonal warmth.)
|
benevolence (More formal; suggests a general desire to do good.)
Antonyms
cruelty (The opposite quality; causing pain or suffering instead of helping.)
|
unkindness (Direct opposite; lack of friendliness or generosity.)
Collocations
act of kindness
|show kindness
|kindness and compassion
|out of kindness
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her kindness to strangers is truly inspiring.
- A small act of kindness can change someone's day.
- He will always remember the kindness she showed him during hard times.
- Kindness is one of the most important values we can teach children.
Learner examples
- She showed kindness to the new student.
- His kindness made me feel happy.
- I will never forget her kindness.
- We should treat each other with kindness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
kindness
IPA
GB/kˈaɪndnəs/
US/kˈaɪndnəs/
Syllables & stress
kind - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (kind)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: kindness
- Plural: kindness, kindnesses
Word family
Expressions
act of kindness
1/ˈækt əv kˈaɪndnəs/
fixed phrase
A helpful or generous deed
A single thing you do to be nice or help someone.
Examples
- Helping the elderly woman carry her bags was a simple act of kindness.
- Many people performed acts of kindness after the storm.
kill with kindness
1/kˈɪl wˈɪθ kˈaɪndnəs/
idiom
informal
Overwhelm with too much care
To treat someone so nicely that it actually causes problems for them.
Examples
- She's killing him with kindness by doing everything for him.
- They were killing us with kindness, offering food we couldn’t refuse.
out of kindness
1/ˈaʊt əv kˈaɪndnəs/
fixed phrase
Because of generosity or goodwill
Doing something because you want to be nice or help, not for reward.
Examples
- He offered me his seat out of kindness, not obligation.
- They invited us in out of kindness when it started raining.