No Matter How You Say It: Kindness

by | Aug 29, 2025 | No Matter How You Say It

Word Origin

“The word ‘kindness’ harks back to the Old English ‘kyndnes’ which meant “nation” – and has roots in the word ‘kin’, as in one’s family, race or relations. The word eventually evolved into our more modern understanding of “courtesy or noble deeds” by the 14th century.”  From Speak Media

Sign Language

Kind 

Rude  

Can you see the circle in the sign for kind and the harshness in both signs of rude?

Icons and Graphics for Kindness

Kindness Idioms

  • Big-hearted
  • Do someone a kindness
  • Forgive and forget
  • Give someone a hand
  • Go the extra mile
  • Good Samaritan
  • Guardian angel
  • Have a gentle soul
  • Have a heart as big as Texas
  • Have a kind heart
  • Healing touch
  • Heart of gold
  • Kindness begets kindness
  • Lend a hand
  • Light in the darkness
  • Live a life of service
  • Make a difference
  • Make the world a better place
  • Out of the kindness of one’s heart
  • Pay it forward
  • Peacemaker
  • Positive influence
  • Ray of sunshine
  • Rely on the kindness of strangers
  • Shining example
  • Spread kindness
  • The kindness of strangers
  • The milk of human kindness
  • Try a little kindness

In Other Languages

Spanish – amabilidad 

French – gentillesse

German – Freundlichkeit

Italian – infantile

Swedish – barninna

Basque – umea

Portugese – criança

 

 

For other character qualities related to Kindness,
visit the Related Qualities page.