kindly

In Appalachian speech, "kindly" often means "kind of" or "somewhat," softening a statement or making it less direct.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Kindly' is still being used in place of 'kinda'. And I kindly enjoy it.

Pronunciation

[KINE-lee]

Meaning & Usage

- Somewhat, Kind of (adverb)

Elmer:

Was it cold up on the ridge?

Estel:

It was kindly chilly, but not too bad.

other spellings: kindlee, kind-a, and kinda

★ If someone says it was "kindly rough," it might mean anything from a little bumpy to downright dangerous. ★

Origin

From the standard English "kindly," originally meaning "in a kind manner." In Appalachian speech, the meaning shifted to function as an adverb equivalent to "kind of" or "somewhat," a usage preserved from older rural English dialects.

Notes

"Kindly" in this sense doesn’t imply politeness - it’s about degree. It’s often used to hedge a statement or make an opinion less forceful. The word is usually spoken quickly, sometimes sounding like "kind-a" or "kinda."

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Common Questions

Does "kindly" always mean "kind of" in Appalachia?

Not always. It can still mean "in a kind manner" in more formal contexts, but in everyday speech it often replaces "kind of."

Is this use of "kindly" unique to Appalachia?

It’s most common in Appalachian and Southern speech, though similar uses show up in some older rural dialects in other parts of the U.S. and the British Isles.

How is "kindly" pronounced in this context?

Often quickly and casually - you might hear "kind-a" or "kinda," depending on the speaker.

Can it be used for people, not just situations?

Yes. You might hear "He’s kindly shy" or "She’s kindly proud of her garden."