1
a
: in a kind manner : sympathetically
b
: as a gesture of goodwill
would take it kindly if you would put in a good word
: in an appreciative manner
She didn't respond kindly to the suggestion.
c
: in a gracious manner : courteously
they kindly invited us along
d
: as a matter of courtesy : please
would you kindly order me a cab
2
a
dated
: readily
But he had his gravelled walks, his poets' avenue of yews, that grew kindly, his sundials with their graceful and melancholy admonitions, …—
Francis Brett Young
Francis Brett YoungAt Pisa he saw something both of Trelawny and of Byron, who took to him kindly …—Sidney Colvin
Sidney Colvin
b
: in the normal way : naturally
old wounds which had healed kindly—Amer. Mercury
Amer. Mercurysee also take kindly to
Synonyms
Examples of kindly in a Sentence
Adjective
A kindly woman helped him find his way home.
brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health
Adverb
She always treats animals kindly.
They kindly offered to help us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
But the kindly decision wasn't popular with the pup, who clearly didn't want to give up any of his beloved toys.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Emma Soren, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
The Broncos, to put it kindly, have wilted in these spots since Super Bowl 50.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kindly 
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Adjective
In 2016 in California, Hindu-nationalist groups claimed that sixth-grade textbooks were biased against Hindus and demanded they be revised to give a kindlier depiction of the caste system, and to downplay the role of patriarchy in India.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
But the kindly decision wasn't popular with the pup, who clearly didn't want to give up any of his beloved toys.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
Adverb
To the others, Daisy diagnoses her with heat exhaustion, kindly not mentioning the mental aspect.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
The Broncos, to put it kindly, have wilted in these spots since Super Bowl 50.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kindly
Dictionary Entries Near kindly
Cite this Entry
“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindly. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kindly
1 of 2 adjective
kind·ly
ˈkīn-(d)lē 
kindlier; kindliest
1
: pleasant or wholesome in nature
a kindly climate
2
: of a sympathetic or generous nature
kindly men
kindliness
noun
kindly
2 of 2 adverb1
: in a willing manner
does not take kindly to criticism
2
a
: in a kind manner
treat animals kindly
b
: in an appreciative manner
I would take it kindly if you would put in a good word for us
c
: in an obliging manner
they kindly asked us to go along
d
: as a matter of courtesy : please
kindly pass the salt
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