Kindly

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈkaɪndli/

Full definition of kindly

Adjective

1. Having a kind personality.A kindly old man sits on the park bench every afternoon feeding pigeons.
• TennysonThe shade by which my life was crossed ... has made me kindly with my kind.
2. (obsolete) Favourable; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.
• Alexander PopeIn soft silence shed the kindly shower.
• Wordsworthshould e'er a kindlier time ensue
3. (obsolete) natural
• Book of Common Prayerthe kindly fruits of the earth
• Spenseran herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting
• L. AndrewsWhatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly for Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men.

Adverb

1. In a kind manner, out of kindness.He kindly offered to take us to the station in his car.
• 1900, L. Frank Baum , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl.
2. in a favourable way.
• 2011, October 29, Neil Johnston, Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn, 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.
3. Please; used to make a polite request.Kindly refrain from walking on the grass.Kindly move your car out of the front yard.
4. (US) With kind acceptance; used with take.I don't take kindly to threats.Aunt Daisy didn't take it kindly when we forgot her anniversary.

Usage notes

(please) Kindly is used in a slightly more peremptory way than please. It is generally used to introduce a request with which the person addressed is expected to comply, and takes the edge off what would otherwise be a command.

(with kind acceptance) This sense is a ; it is usually found in questions and negative statements, as in the above example sentences.

Synonyms

• (in a kind manner) thoughtfully
• (used to make polite requests) be so kind as to, please