What is kindness? Pronunciation and usage in English

kindness means . Learn how to pronounce and use kindness through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of kindness

kindnessnoun

/ˈkʌɪn(d)nɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of kindness

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "kindness":

Here's a phonetic breakdown and a helpful guide:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA): /ˈkɪnd.nəs/

Here's how to say it step-by-step:

  1. "Kin": Say "kin" as in "skin" – /ˈkɪn/ (The "i" sounds like the "i" in "bit")

  2. "dness": This is where it gets a little tricky.

    • "d": Pronounce it as a regular "d" sound – /d/
    • "ness": This is the tricky part. It's a diphthong (a gliding vowel sound). It sounds like a short "eh" followed by a quick "ih" sound. Think of it as a blend of "end" and "in." /nəs/

Putting it all together:

Say it slowly at first: "Kin-d-ness"

Then, smoothly connect the sounds: "Kin-d-nuhs" (The "uhs" at the end is crucial and often missed).

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The main stress is on the first syllable – "Kin".
  • "ness" is nasal: The sound in "ness" is produced partly through your nose. Try to feel the vibration in your nose as you say it. Don't overemphasize it though.
  • Don't over-articulate: It’s a natural word, so don't force the sounds perfectly.

Resources to hear it:

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Usage and examples with the word kindness in English

Let's break down how to use the word "kindness" in English. It's a lovely and important word!

1. Basic Definition:

  • Kindness refers to the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. It's about showing good will and empathy towards others.

2. How to Use It – Different Ways:

  • As a Noun (the thing): This is the most common usage.

    • Example: "She showed great kindness to the homeless man." (Here, "kindness" is the quality she exhibited.)
    • Example: "His kindness was deeply appreciated by everyone." (Referring to an act or a display of kindness.)
    • Example: "Acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life." (Referring to the general concept of kindness.)

  • As an Adjective (describing someone or something): You can describe people or things as being kind.

    • Example: "She's a very kind person." (Describing a personality trait)
    • Example: "He offered her a kind smile." (Describing a gesture)
    • Example: "It’s a kind gesture to offer help." (Describing an act)

3. Phrases Using "Kindness":

  • Show kindness: "Please show kindness to your neighbor."
  • An act of kindness: "That was a truly generous act of kindness."
  • Spread kindness: "Let’s try to spread kindness throughout the community."
  • Be kind: "Be kind to yourself." (Important reminder!)
  • A kind heart: “She has a kind heart and always helps others.”
  • Kindness matters: “Kindness matters more than you think.”

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Generosity
  • Compassion
  • Benevolence
  • Affability
  • Goodness
  • Mercy
  • Warmth

5. Examples in Sentences (to illustrate how it works):

  • "After the disaster, the community rallied together, displaying remarkable kindness to those who had lost everything."
  • "Her kindness extended to all, from her family to the strangers she met on the street."
  • "Even a small act of kindness, like holding a door open, can brighten someone’s day."
  • "The teacher's kindness in offering extra help to struggling students was invaluable."

Resources for further learning:

To help me tailor my explanation even more, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use "kindness" in a specific context (e.g., writing a story, a conversation, an email)?
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Synonyms for the word kindness

Idioms of the word kindness

kill somebody/something with kindness
to be so kind to somebody/something that you in fact harm them
    the milk of human kindness
    (literary)kind behaviour, considered to be natural to humans

      Practice with vocabulary kindness

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. A culture of mutual respect and _______ is essential for a productive and harmonious workplace.
      2. Despite the tight deadline, her _______ in offering to help with my overflow tasks was incredibly reassuring.
      3. Effective leaders often demonstrate great _______ towards their team members, understanding their perspectives and challenges.
      4. The CEO's recent _______ to several educational charities has significantly impacted the local community.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

      1. Which of the following qualities contributes to building strong professional relationships? A. Ambition B. Kindness C. Courtesy D. Efficiency
      2. The company aims to foster an environment where _______ acts are encouraged and recognized, promoting a supportive culture. A. considerate B. compassionate C. kind D. decisive
      3. Choosing which of these traits would best describe someone who consistently puts others' needs before their own, without seeking personal gain? A. Benevolence B. Altruism C. Selfishness D. Kindness
      4. To truly understand the challenges faced by underprivileged communities, it is crucial to develop deep _______. A. sympathy B. empathy C. apathy D. intuition
      5. Which of these words describes the willingness to give generously to others, often involving money or resources? A. Philanthropy B. Stinginess C. Munificence D. Generosity

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. He consistently treats all his colleagues with great thoughtfulness and care. (Rewrite using a form of "kindness")
      2. The supervisor's friendly and considerate actions towards the new intern helped them settle in quickly. (Rewrite using "kindness")
      3. It is important for leaders to have the ability to understand and share the feelings of their team members. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "kindness")

      Answer Key

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. A culture of mutual respect and kindness is essential for a productive and harmonious workplace.
      2. Despite the tight deadline, her kindness in offering to help with my overflow tasks was incredibly reassuring.
      3. Effective leaders often demonstrate great empathy towards their team members, understanding their perspectives and challenges.
      4. The CEO's recent generosity to several educational charities has significantly impacted the local community.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. B. Kindness, C. Courtesy
      2. A. considerate, B. compassionate, C. kind
      3. A. Benevolence, B. Altruism, D. Kindness
      4. B. empathy
      5. A. Philanthropy, C. Munificence, D. Generosity

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. He consistently treats all his colleagues with great thoughtfulness and care.
        • He consistently shows great kindness to all his colleagues.
        • His kindness is consistently evident in how he treats all his colleagues.
      2. The supervisor's friendly and considerate actions towards the new intern helped them settle in quickly.
        • The supervisor's kindness towards the new intern helped them settle in quickly.
        • The supervisor showed great kindness to the new intern, which helped them settle in quickly.
      3. It is important for leaders to have the ability to understand and share the feelings of their team members.
        • It is important for leaders to cultivate empathy for their team members.

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