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
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
Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Eventually, Billy tries to warn the foster care headquarters, managed by a kindly woman named Wendy (Sally-Anne Upton), that Laura is trying to sabotage Billy.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
There are lots of projects that are short-term, ranging from a week to a month, and even in that short period of time, there’s good teamwork and everyone treats me kindly for the most part.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
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Adjective
The kindly people on the other end had probably not yet been born when I was raped.
—Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
Eventually, Billy tries to warn the foster care headquarters, managed by a kindly woman named Wendy (Sally-Anne Upton), that Laura is trying to sabotage Billy.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
Adverb
The Rehearsal attempted to get Fielder’s message to the federal government, but so far it has been met with skepticism, to put it kindly.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
There are lots of projects that are short-term, ranging from a week to a month, and even in that short period of time, there’s good teamwork and everyone treats me kindly for the most part.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
Cite this Entry
“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindly. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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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