English · Word Candidate

kindly

/ˈkaɪn(d)li/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: kindlier · kindliest

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Having a kind personality; kind, warmhearted, sympathetic.

Adjective

A kindly old man sits on the park bench every afternoon feeding pigeons.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Favourable, gentle, pleasant, tidy, auspicious, beneficent.

AdjectiveRegister: dated

Ye Heav'ns! from high the devvy nectar pour, / And in ſoft ſilence ſhed the kindly ſhovv'r!

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

In a kind manner, out of kindness.

Adverb

He kindly offered to take us to the station in his car.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

In a favourable way.

Adverb

Aguero was quick to block Hennessey's attempted clearance and the ball bounced kindly to Dzeko, who had the simplest of tasks to put City ahead.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “kindly” mean?

Having a kind personality; kind, warmhearted, sympathetic.

Is “kindly” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.