kind

¹

[kahynd]

adjective

kinder, kindest 

1. of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person.

   a kind and loving person.

   Synonyms: compassionate, tender, gentle, benignant, benign, mild
   Antonyms: cruel

2. having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence.

   kind words.

3. indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often followed byto ).

   to be kind to animals.

4. mild; gentle; clement.

   kind weather.

5. British Dialect.,  loving; affectionate.

kind

²

[kahynd]

noun

1. a class or group of individual objects, people, animals, etc., of the same nature or character, or classified together because they have traits in common; category.

   Our dog is the same kind as theirs.

   Synonyms: set, breed, species, genus, order

2. nature or character as determining likeness or difference between things.

   These differ in degree rather than in kind.

3. a person or thing as being of a particular character or class.

   He is a strange kind of hero.

4. a more or less adequate example of something; sort.

   The vines formed a kind of roof.

5. Archaic.

   1. the nature, or natural disposition or character.

   2. manner; form.

6. Obsolete.,  gender; sex.

kind

¹

/ kaɪnd /

noun

1. a class or group having characteristics in common; sort; type

   two of a kind

   what kind of creature?

2. an instance or example of a class or group, esp a rudimentary one

   heating of a kind

3. essential nature or character

   the difference is one of kind rather than degree

4. archaic,  gender or sex

5. archaic,  nature; the natural order

6. 1. (of payment) in goods or produce rather than in money

   2. with something of the same sort

      to return an insult in kind

7. informal

   1. (adverb) somewhat; rather

      kind of tired

   2. (sentence substitute) used to express reservation or qualified assent

      I figured it out. Kind of

kind

²

/ kaɪnd /

adjective

1. having a friendly or generous nature or attitude

2. helpful to others or to another

   a kind deed

3. considerate or humane

4. cordial; courteous (esp in the phrase kind regards )

5. pleasant; agreeable; mild

   a kind climate

6. informal,  beneficial or not harmful

   a detergent that is kind to the hands

7. archaic,  loving

Usage

The mixture of plural and singular constructions, although often used informally with kind and sort , should be avoided in serious writing: children enjoy those kinds (not those kind ) of stories; these sorts (not these sort ) of distinctions are becoming blurred

The phrase these (or those ) kind of, followed by a plural noun ( these kind of flowers; those kind of shoes ) is frequently condemned as ungrammatical because it is said to combine a plural demonstrative ( these; those ) with a singular noun, kind. Historically, kind is an unchanged or unmarked plural noun like deer, folk, sheep, and swine, and the construction these kind of is an old one, occurring in the writings of Shakespeare, Swift, Jane Austen, and, in modern times, Jimmy Carter and Winston Churchill. Kind has also developed the plural kinds, evidently because of the feeling that the old pattern was incorrect. These kind of nevertheless persists in use, especially in less formal speech and writing. In edited, more formal prose, this kind of and these kinds of are more common. Sort of has been influenced by the use of kind as an unchanged plural: these sort of books. This construction too is often considered incorrect and appears mainly in less formal speech and writing. Kind (or sort ) of as an adverbial modifier meaning “somewhat” occurs in informal speech and writing: Sales have been kind (or sort ) of slow these last few weeks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kind¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English kind(e) “natural, well-disposed,” Old English gecynde “natural;” genial ¹, kind ²

Origin of kind²

First recorded before 900; Middle English kinde, Old English gecynd “nature, race, origin”; cognate with Old Norse kyndi, Old High German kikunt, Latin gēns (genitive gentis ); kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of kind¹

Old English gecynd nature; compare Old English cyn _kin , Gothic kuni race, Old High German kikunt, Latin gens

Origin of kind²

Old English gecynde natural, native; see _kind ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in kind,

   1. in something of the same kind or in the same way as that received or borne.

      They will be repaid in kind for their rudeness.

   2. in goods, commodities, or services rather than money.

      In colonial times, payment was often made in kind.

2. kind of, to some extent; somewhat; rather.

   The room was kind of dark.

3. of a kind, of the same class, nature, character, etc..

   They are two of a kind.

More idioms and phrases containing kind

• all kinds of
• in kind
• nothing of the kind
• of a kind
• two of a kind

Synonym Study

Kind, gracious, kindhearted, kindly imply a sympathetic attitude toward others, and a willingness to do good or give pleasure. Kind implies a deep-seated characteristic shown either habitually or on occasion by considerate behavior: a kind father. Gracious often refers to kindness from a superior or older person to a subordinate, an inferior, a child, etc.: a gracious monarch. Kindhearted implies an emotionally sympathetic nature, sometimes easily imposed upon: a kindhearted old woman. Kindly, a mild word, refers usually to general disposition, appearance, manner, etc.: a kindly face.

Example Sentences

But in terms of the candor and the rhythm that we have with each other, it’s just kind of feels like one of those universe once-in-a-lifetime things.

From Los Angeles Times

“We started off kind of uneasy in the first half,” said Breaux, who put the Yankees in position for Riley to kick a 22-yard field goal to put Hamilton ahead 3-0 right before halftime.

From Los Angeles Times

It made the now 34-year-old the kind of person who religiously applies sunscreen multiple times a day and rarely leaves the house without a hat.

From BBC

“I wish I could explain in words how much I love that kind of stuff,” Slash says.

From Los Angeles Times

The statement added: “His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affectionate 
• amiable 
• charitable 
• compassionate 
• considerate 
• cordial 
• courteous 
• friendly 
• gentle 
• gracious 
• humane 
• kindhearted 
• kindly 
• loving 
• sympathetic 
• thoughtful 
• tolerant