What does "largesse" mean?
The trait of being willing to donate money, resources, or time; generosity, liberality.
Largesse
/lɑːˈ(d)ʒɛs/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The trait of being willing to donate money, resources, or time; generosity, liberality.
- Grammar: largesse is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: munificence, aid, alms, bonus.
- Useful contrasts: austerity, cuts, frugality.
- Usage evidence: Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.
How to use "largesse"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "largesse" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "largesse" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "largesse" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "largesse" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "largesse" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "munificence" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "largesse", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The trait of being willing to donate money, resources, or time; generosity, liberality. uncountable
"There is no creature impure or vncleane, yf the conſcience of hym that vſeth it be pure and cleane. And albeit there were any impuritie in the meate, yet with himnes wherwith the larges of god is prayſed before meate and with holy wordes and prayers it ſhoulde be made holy and pure, that before was vncleane."
- 2 liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit wordnet
- 3 Often preceded by do, give, or make: the generous or liberal giving of gifts or money, especially by someone of high standing on a special occasion; also, excessive or wasteful giving. uncountable
"In such case, certainly I would accept / Your bounty: better I than alien hearts / Should execute your planned benevolence / To man, your proposed largess to the Church."
- 4 a gift or money given (as for service or out of benevolence); usually given ostentatiously wordnet
- 5 Money, etc., given in this way. uncountable
"[F]or our coffers vvith too great a court, / And liberall larges are grovven ſomevvhat light, / VVe are inforſt to farm our royall Realme, / The reuenevv vvhereof ſhall furniſh vs, / For our affaires in hand […]"
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- 6 Abundance of something (chiefly beneficial), regarded as having been given generously. figuratively, uncountable
"The man to ſolitude accuſtomed long, / Perceives in every thing that lives a tongue; / […] / After long drought, vvhen rains abundant fall, / He hears the herbs and flovvers rejoicing all: / Knovvs vvhat the freſhneſs of their hue implies, / Hovv glad they catch the largeſs of the skies; […]"
- 7 Chiefly in the form at one's largesse: freedom or liberty to act. obsolete, uncountable
"This captaine then falling in companie vvith a knot of Caualieros, and diſcourſing of the largeſſe & liberty, vvhich ſouldiers enjoy in Italie, in a certaine demand, vvhich one of them made him, he gaue him the you becauſe he vvas native of that place, and the ſonne of meane parents, born in a village of ſome fevv houſes: […]"
- 8 An act of donating or giving generously. countable
"So theſe loſing the true glory of virtue vvhich every one ought to have, flie to that vvhich depends upon complaiſance vvith others, courting vulgar applauſe vvith Largeſſes and feaſts."
- 9 A specific gift of money, etc., given in this way, specifically (historical) at harvest time; a donation, a gratuity. also, countable, figuratively
"Giue gloues to thy reapers, a larges to crie, / And dailie to loiterers haue a good eie."
Example
"Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "largesse"?
Common synonyms include: munificence, aid, alms, bonus, bonuses, bounty.
How do you use "largesse" in a sentence?
Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.
How do you pronounce "largesse"?
Pronounced /lɑːˈ(d)ʒɛs/.
Etymology
From Middle English larges, largess, largesse [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman largece, largesce, Middle French largece, largesce, largesse, and Old French largesce (“breadth, width; request for a monetary gift; (act of) generous giving; (chiefly in the plural) generous gift; generosity, liberality”) (in Anglo-Norman also “liberty; privilege”; modern French largesse), from large (“big, large; generous; wide”).