Happy World Kindness Day! Yes, November 13th is officially dedicated to celebrating kindness, but we hope every day of your life is filled with moments of compassion and surrounded by people with hearts of gold. Today, we’ve prepared a wonderful collection of kindness-related vocabulary just for you. May you find plenty of opportunities to use these words and spread kindness in the real world!
Kindness Begets Kindness
In a world that sometimes feels cold, those with a heart of gold (1) stand out, shining through their acts of kindness. These individuals may not seek recognition for their deeds, but their kindness is an unsung virtue (2) that brightens the lives of others.
It’s often said that kindness begets kindness (3), and those with a gentle spirit (4) and good-natured (5) outlook know this well. Their big-hearted (6) generosity, whether through small gestures or grand acts, spreads goodwill (7) in ways we can’t always measure. Like the Good Samaritan (8) who helps without expecting anything in return, they’re willing to give the shirt off their back (9) if it means easing someone else’s burden.
Every day, there are people who do someone a good turn (10), lifting their spirits and showing what it means to truly care. When someone is struggling, these kind souls will take them under their wing (11), becoming a source of strength and guidance. Their warmth is infectious, lighting up the lives (12) of those they encounter.
Even when faced with negativity, they choose to kill them with kindness (13), always taking the high road (14). These individuals show us that a kind word goes a long way (15), and that kindness isn’t about grand gestures alone—it’s about being a shoulder to cry on (16) when someone needs comfort, or simply being in someone’s corner (17) when times get tough.
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of such kindness, you know the impact it can have. When we extend kindness to others, it creates a ripple effect. Whether you play it forward (18) by helping someone else, or offer support in your own way, remember that even the smallest act of kindness can make the world a better place.
- To have a heart of gold – to be very kind, generous, and caring
- Unsung virtue /ˈvəːtʃuː/ – a quality that is good but often overlooked or unrecognized
- Kindness begets kindness = acts of kindness encourage others to be kind in return (to beget something (literary) = to cause, bring about something)
- A gentle spirit – a person who is calm, kind, and compassionate
- Good-natured – having a pleasant, cheerful, and friendly disposition
- Big-hearted – generous and compassionate; willing to help others
- Goodwill – friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude; kind-heartedness
- Good Samaritan – a person who selflessly helps others in need
- To give the shirt off one’s back – to be very generous, willing to give anything to help someone
- To do someone a good turn – to do a kind deed for someone
- To take someone under your wing – to mentor or care for someone, especially someone younger or less experienced
- To lighten up someone’s life – to make someone’s life happier or easier, often through acts of kindness
- To kill them with kindness – to respond to someone’s negativity or hostility with extreme kindness
- To take the high road – to choose a morally superior path in a difficult situation, often by being kind or forgiving
- A kind word goes a long way = simple expressions of kindness can have a significant positive effect
- A shoulder to cry on – someone who offers comfort and support during difficult times
- To be in someone’s corner – to support or stand by someone during a challenging time
- To play it forward – to perform an act of kindness for someone, inspired by receiving kindness from another
Practice
Exercise 1. Click the link here and choose the right words to complete the sentences.
Exercise 2. Click the link here and type in the idiom from the list above that best describes each picture.
Which expression(s) were new to you? Which one(s) did you like best? Are there any other idioms or proverbs that come to mind when you think of kindness? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! ❤️
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