I. kind ‧ ly 1 /ˈkaɪndli/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ kind ≠ ↑ unkind , ↑ kindly ; noun : ↑ kindness ≠ ↑ unkindness ; adverb : ↑ kindly ≠ ↑ unkindly ]
1 . in a kind way SYN generously
kindly offer/agree/give etc
Mr Nunn has kindly agreed to let us use his barn for the dance.
2 . not take kindly to something to be unwilling to accept a situation because it annoys you:
She does not take kindly to criticism.
3 . look kindly on somebody/something to approve of someone or something:
Jimmy would probably not look too kindly on our request.
4 . spoken formal a word meaning ‘please’, which is often used when you are annoyed:
Will you kindly put that book back?
II. kindly 2 BrE AmE adjective old-fashioned
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ kind ≠ ↑ unkind , ↑ kindly ; noun : ↑ kindness ≠ ↑ unkindness ; adverb : ↑ kindly ≠ ↑ unkindly ]
kind and caring for other people:
Mrs Gardiner was a kindly old soul.
—kindliness noun [uncountable]