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generous

When describing people, "generous" usually refers to their willingness to share money or time. It is a positive trait. When describing things (like food portions or amounts of space), it means the amount is larger than usual. This is often used as a compliment in reviews for hotels or restaurants. Avoid using this word if you mean someone is "wasteful." Generosity implies kindness and choice, whereas wastefulness implies a lack of care.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Maya is multitasking at her desk while Jackson texts her from a coffee shop.
Jackson

My new DAO needs a seed round. Be generous with the buy-in.

Jackson
Maya
Maya

Cut it out, Jackson. I'm not throwing money down a hole.

💡
Jackson uses 'generous' to suggest Maya should invest a large amount of money into his cryptocurrency project (DAO). Maya responds with the phrasal verb 'cut it out' (stop doing that) and the idiom 'throwing money down a hole' to describe a waste of funds, highlighting her disdain for his lack of a real job.

Meanings

adjective

Showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is strictly necessary or expected.

"It was very generous of her to donate such a large sum to the charity."

adjective

Larger or more plentiful than is usual or necessary.

"The restaurant served generous portions of pasta and garlic bread."

adjective

Showing a noble spirit, kindness, or forgiveness; not petty.

"He was generous enough to forgive his rival's insults."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error