be ‧ nev ‧ o ‧ lent /bəˈnevələnt, bɪˈnevələnt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: bene 'well' + volens (present participle of velle 'to wish' ) ]
kind and generous:
A benevolent uncle paid for her to have music lessons.
a benevolent smile
—benevolence noun [uncountable]
—benevolently adverb
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THESAURUS
▪ kind someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them:
They were very kind to us and let us stay in their house as long as we liked.
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a kind old lady
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a kind thing to say
▪ nice especially spoken friendly and kind. Nice is very common in everyday spoken English and is often used instead of kind :
Everyone has been so nice to me.
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It’s nice of you to invite me here.
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He seems such a nice man.
▪ generous kind because you give people money, presents etc:
‘I’ll pay for the meal.’ ‘That’s very generous of you.’
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a generous gift
▪ considerate thinking about other people’s feelings, and careful not to do anything that will upset them:
Our neighbours are very considerate and always keep their TV turned down.
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a considerate driver
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He’s always very polite and considerate to his guests.
▪ thoughtful thinking of things you can do to make other people happy or feel good – used especially when someone does something such as giving someone a present or helping someone:
It was thoughtful of you to send him a card.
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Some thoughtful person had taken her bag to the lost property office.
▪ caring kind and wanting to help and look after people:
She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring husband.
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The British are well-known for their caring attitude toward animals.
▪ sympathetic saying kind things to someone who has problems and behaving in a way that shows you care about them:
My boss was very sympathetic and said I should take some time off work.
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She gave him a sympathetic smile.
▪ good kind and showing that you want to help – used especially in the following phrases:
It was good of you to come and see me.
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She’s always been very good to us.
▪ sweet informal very kind – used especially when you like someone very much, or you are very pleased because of something they have done:
I was given the flowers by a sweet little old lady who lived next door.
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It’s sweet of you to ask.
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a sweet thing to say
▪ kind-hearted/warm-hearted especially written having a kind and friendly character, which makes other people like you:
He was a wonderful father, kind-hearted and always laughing.
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The town is full of warm-hearted, helpful people.
▪ benevolent formal kind and wanting to help people – often used about someone who is important or who people respect:
a benevolent ruler
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They believe in the existence of a benevolent God who will save mankind.
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He listened politely, like some benevolent uncle.