liberal vs. generous

[thedaffodils]

Hello,

Would you tell me what the difference between "liberal" and "generous"?

i.e. a liberal / generous donor

Thank you!

 

[canadian45]

Hello,

Would you tell me what the difference between "liberal" and "generous" is?

i.e. a liberal / generous donor I would only use "generous" in that example. Look up the two words in your dictionary.

Thank you!

..

 

[MikeNewYork]

The problem with using 'liberal" in your example is it can be confused with politics.

 

[thedaffodils]

To: Canadian45

My dictionary uses generous to define liberal.

Entry 5 for liberal.

Tending to give freely; generous:

a liberal benefactor.

 

[Rover_KE]

Please name the dictionary you are quoting from.

I agree with Mike for the reason he gave. The words 'entry 5' are significant.

I have not looked at all the dictionaries listed here, but the first few at least put the political meaning first, so anybody looking up 'a liberal donor' could get the impression that the donor was supporting the defined political cause.

Generous means liberal far more often than liberal means generous.

 

[MikeNewYork]

There is a big difference between dictionary definitions and common usage. Usage changes over time. For example, "gay" is hardly ever used for "happy" anymore.

 

[thedaffodils]

The American Heritage dictionary for Learners of English

This is the dictionary I used.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I understand. But you should be more concerned with being understood than what a dictionary says.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The dictionaries also use 'generous' to define 'bounteous', can I say 'a bounteous donor'?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Not in this century.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you mean modern people won't understand what it means?

 

[MikeNewYork]

It is just an unusual word these days.