kindness
Pluralkindnesses (some meanings)
- 1The quality of being friendly, caring and considerate toward other people.
Patients often remember a nurse's kindness long after they have forgotten the doctor's name.
He answered even his harshest critics with patience and kindness.
UsageKindness to or toward someone; one instance is an act of kindness. Set phrase: out of the kindness of your heart.
Similarcompassion, warmth, consideration, gentleness, generosity
Oppositecruelty, unkindness, harshness
- 2A particular act of kind or generous behavior toward someone, such as a favor done for them.
It would be a kindness to tell him the truth before he hears it from someone else.
The family thanked the hospital staff for countless kindnesses during her long stay.
UsageCan be counted: a kindness, many kindnesses. Like favor, it takes do: do someone a kindness.
Similarfavor
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English kindenesse, equivalent to kind + -ness.
Checked 3 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Kindness derives from Middle English kindenesse (also spelled kyndenesse). en.wiktionary.org
- Kindenesse is an attested Middle English form meaning kindness. en.wikisource.org
- The word is equivalent to kind + -ness. en.wiktionary.org