Meaning & use
generous man
Last updated
Meanings
phrasecountable
a man who willingly gives money, time, or help to others, often more than is expected
Grammar: The phrase acts as a countable noun phrase: 'a generous man', 'the generous man', 'generous men'.
Patterns
- a generous man
- be a generous man
- generous man with something
My grandfather was a generous man who paid for my college education.
Everyone in the village knew him as a generous man who never turned away a stranger.
She described her boss as a generous man with his time and advice.
phrasecountable
a man who is large-hearted and forgiving in his judgment of others
Grammar: Used to describe someone's character, often in a positive or admiring way.
Patterns
- a generous man in victory
- generous man toward someone
Even after losing the election, he was a generous man and congratulated his opponent warmly.
A generous man does not keep score of favors.
Common combinations
- a generous man
- He is a generous man who donates to charity every month.
- generous man with money
- My uncle is a generous man with money, always treating us to dinner.
- generous man with time
- She married a generous man with time for everyone.
- generous man to someone
- The teacher was a generous man to his students, staying late to help.
- truly generous man
- He was a truly generous man, giving anonymously to those in need.
Synonyms and how they differ
- giving
- Emphasizes the act of giving; can describe anyone, not just a man. 'A giving man' is less common than 'a generous man'.
- charitable
- Focuses on giving to those in need, often through organized charity; a generous man may give more broadly.
- openhanded
- Literally means willing to give money; less common and slightly more formal than 'generous'.
- big-hearted
- Emphasizes kindness and warmth; a big-hearted man may not necessarily give money.
Opposites
Word family
- generosity noun
- The quality of being generous.
- generously adverb
- In a generous manner.
- generous adjective
- Willing to give more than is usual or expected.
Commonly confused: generous man or general man?
generous man vs general man
Not a standard phrase; 'general' means common or overall, not giving. Do not confuse with 'generous'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'generous man' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition after 'generous' when talking about what someone gives is 'with': generous with his time/money. 'Of', 'for', and 'at' do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “generous man”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.