Meaning & use
kindnesses
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“kindnesses” is a form of “kindness”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
Acts of caring and generosity toward other people.
Grammar: Countable; use it for individual acts. The uncountable 'kindness' refers to the quality in general.
Patterns
- do someone a kindness
- show someone kindnesses
- small kindnesses
She did me many kindnesses when I was ill.
Small kindnesses like a cup of tea can really cheer someone up.
He never forgot the kindnesses he received from his neighbors.
Word forms
| singular | kindness |
|---|
Common combinations
- do someone a kindness
- Could you do me a kindness and post this letter?
- small kindnesses
- It's the small kindnesses that make life pleasant.
- show kindness to someone
- She always shows kindness to strangers.
- repay a kindness
- I don't know how to repay your kindness.
Synonyms and how they differ
- favors
- Favors are helpful acts, often practical; kindnesses emphasize the warm, caring feeling behind them.
- good turns
- Good turns are helpful acts, but kindnesses sounds more emotional and less casual.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: kindnesses or kindness?
kindnesses vs kindness
Kindness is singular and usually uncountable; kindnesses is plural and countable, used for individual acts.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Kindnesses is a countable plural, so 'many kindnesses' is correct. 'Many kindness' is wrong because kindness is uncountable in that sense; 'much kindnesses' mixes uncountable and plural; 'a kindnesses' mixes singular article with plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kindnesses”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.