kindly
/ˈkaɪndli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaɪndli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkīn(d)-lē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkaɪnd.li/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkaɪnd.li/ (ame, ipa)
kindly — adverb
1. in a gentle, warm, or generous way that shows care for other people
in a gentle, warm, or generous way that shows care for other people
Dr. Martins spoke kindly to the worried patient before the surgery.
spoke kindly to [person] — verb pattern
Lucía kindly offered to drive her elderly neighbour to the hospital.
kindly offered to + verb — verb pattern
When Hoa found a lost wallet on the bus, she kindly returned it to the owner.
The librarian kindly helped the children pick out books for their summer reading project.
- warmly
emphasises emotional openness and friendliness
- gently
stresses softness and care, especially in handling a delicate matter
- generously
highlights giving more than expected, often materially
文法句型
verb + kindly
kindly + verb
常見錯誤
2. used when making a polite request that also expresses slight annoyance or impati
used when making a polite request that also expresses slight annoyance or impatience at the situation
The exam supervisor whispered, 'Would you kindly stop tapping your pencil on the desk?'
'Andrew, will you kindly lower the volume on your game?' his father called from the kitchen.
A notice on the train read, 'Passengers are kindly requested not to block the doors.'
The hotel sent an email saying, 'Guests are kindly reminded to return their key cards by noon.'
文法句型
will you kindly + verb
would you kindly + verb
passive: are kindly requested to + verb
passive: are kindly reminded to + verb
用法筆記
This use of kindly typically appears with imperative forms or in passive request structures (will you kindly… / are kindly requested to…). It often carries a tone of controlled irritation rather than genuine politeness. Common in formal notices, official emails, and complaints.
常見錯誤
kindly — adjective
- kindlypositive
- kindliercomparative
- kindliestsuperlative
1. having a warm, gentle, and caring nature; showing kindness through one's charact
having a warm, gentle, and caring nature; showing kindness through one's character or actions
Uncle Eitan was a kindly old man who always brought biscuits for the children in the street.
kindly old man — adjective before noun (attributive)
The kindly nurse stayed after her shift to comfort the crying patient.
Paloma's kindly smile immediately made the new students feel welcome in the class.
A kindly stranger helped Ife carry his shopping bags up the stairs to his flat.
文法句型
kindly + noun
用法筆記
Unlike kind, which can describe a single action ('It was kind of you to call'), kindly almost always describes a person's lasting character or typical behaviour ('a kindly soul'). It is not used for one-time actions.