adj
Uncommon
akin
uh-KIHN
Akin (adj) means Similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable. Example: “His stubbornness is akin to his father's.”
adj
1
Similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable.
"His stubbornness is akin to his father's."
"The feeling was akin to stepping off a rollercoaster."
"Her singing voice is akin to a warm summer breeze."
2
Related by blood or descent.
"The two clans considered themselves akin, tracing descent from a common ancestor."
"Wolves and dogs are akin, as both descend from a common ancestor."
"The cousins were akin by blood, though they had never met."
How to use akin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSimilar to something else, or related to it by family — almost always used with "to."
Common pairings
akin to
closely akin
something akin to
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- akins
- Past tense
- akinned
- Comparative
- more akin
- Superlative
- most akin
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His stubbornness is _____ to his father's.
Etymology
A fusion of the phrase "of kin," meaning "related by family," which gradually contracted into the single word "akin."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for akin
See all rhymes for akin →Frequently asked questions
What does “akin” mean?
The word “akin” means similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable. In plain terms, similar to something else, or related to it by family — almost always used with "to.".
How do you pronounce “akin”?
“Akin” is pronounced uh-KIHN (/ʌˈkɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “akin” in a sentence?
Here is “akin” used in a sentence: “His stubbornness is akin to his father's.”
What is another word for “akin”?
Words with a similar meaning to “akin” include cognate, connate and kindred.
What part of speech is “akin”?
“Akin” is an adjective.
Is “akin” a common word?
“Akin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “akin” have?
“Akin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: similar in nature, quality, or character; comparable.
What is the difference between "akin" and "similar"?
"Akin" and "similar" are close synonyms, but "akin" carries a slightly more formal, literary tone and is almost always followed by "to," as in "akin to a nightmare." "Similar" is more neutral and flexible in everyday speech.
Do you say "akin to" or "akin with"?
"Akin to" is the correct and standard construction. "Akin with" is not idiomatic English; the word is always paired with the preposition "to."
Can "akin" describe family relationships, not just similarity?
Yes, beyond describing things that are similar in nature or quality, "akin" can also describe people related by blood or descent, echoing its root sense of "kin."
