generous
- Freely and willingly giving more of something, such as time, money, or kindness, than is strictly necessary.
In a sentence
- He was always generous with his time, staying late to help colleagues with their projects.
- The restaurant was known for its generous portions and affordable prices.
Usage note. 'Generous' focuses on the willingness to give; 'lavish' implies excess — use 'generous' when the giving is admirable and proportionate, 'lavish' when it may border on extravagance.
Where it comes from
English generous — “freely and willingly giving” · entered English 16th c.
From Latin 'generosus', meaning 'of noble birth' or 'magnanimous', derived from 'genus' (genitive 'generis') meaning 'birth', 'race', or 'kind'. It entered English in the late 16th century, originally carrying the sense of noble lineage before shifting to its current meaning of liberality. The semantic shift from 'noble birth' to 'noble in spirit' is well documented (source: Oxford, Etymonline).