largesse
LowFormal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.
The generous giving of something abstract, such as kindness, time, or opportunity; a gift or gifts given generously.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a condescending or superior attitude of the giver, or a grand, liberal scale of giving. Often used in historical or political contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'largesse' is standard. US English also accepts the spelling 'largess' without the final 'e'.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries a formal, somewhat old-fashioned, and often critical connotation.
Frequency
Equally uncommon in everyday speech in both regions, primarily found in writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + bestow/show/display + largesse + on/upon + [Recipient]the largesse + of + [Giver]depend on + [Possessive] + largesseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the milk of human kindness (related concept, but not directly with 'largesse')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critically refers to excessive corporate spending on perks or questionable donations.
Academic
Used in historical, political, or sociological texts to analyse power dynamics and patronage.
Everyday
Rarely used; if used, it's often with irony or to describe an unexpectedly generous act.
Technical
Not used in scientific or technical fields.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The king's largesse was famous throughout the land.
- The company showed its largesse with a large bonus.
- The new arts centre was built thanks to the largesse of a private donor.
- Critics accused the mayor of using public largesse to buy votes.
- The regime maintained its power not through popular consent, but through the strategic largesse of its oil wealth.
- Her intellectual largesse, freely sharing ideas and mentoring junior colleagues, was her most admirable trait.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LARGE-esse: Imagine someone with a LARGE heart (or wallet) showing great generosity.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENEROSITY IS THE FLOW OF A LIQUID (e.g., 'poured out his largesse', 'flow of gifts').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of 'щедрость' due to its formal and potentially negative nuance of condescension.
- Avoid using it as a simple synonym for 'gift' (подарок).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect pronunciation: /lɑːrˈɡes/ (hard 'g').
- Using it in informal contexts where 'generosity' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'largess' in UK English contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'largesse' used most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be either. It literally means generosity, but it often implies the giver is showing off their wealth or power, which can be seen negatively.
'Generosity' is a neutral, common word for a willing spirit of giving. 'Largesse' is a formal word that often emphasises the scale of the gift and can suggest a patronising attitude from the giver.
In British English: /lɑːˈʒes/. In American English: /lɑːrˈʒes/. The 'g' is soft, like the 's' in 'measure'.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically for abstract gifts like 'intellectual largesse' or 'largesse of spirit', though this is a more literary usage.