kind

The word “kind” means a type or category of thing that shares common features with others. In plain terms, either a type/category of something, or (as an adjective) someone gentle, generous, and thoughtful toward others.

“Kind” is pronounced kynd (/kaɪnd/ in IPA).

Here is “kind” used in a sentence: “What kind of music do you like?”

Words with a similar meaning to “kind” include genre, sort, type, generation, derivative and offspring.

Depending on how it is used, “kind” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “kind” comes from Old English. From Old English gecynd, "nature, birth, family" — originally meaning something closer to "kin" or "inborn nature" before it split into today's separate meanings of "type" and "gentle/caring.".

“Kind” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Kind” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a type or category of thing that shares common features with others.

'Kind' and 'type' are close synonyms, both meaning a category of things that share features. 'Type' can feel slightly more precise or technical, while 'kind' is a touch more informal and everyday. In most sentences the two are interchangeable, so 'what kind of car' and 'what type of car' mean the same thing.

'Kind' works as both. As a noun it means a type or category, as in 'a kind of fruit.' As an adjective it means gentle, caring, or considerate, as in 'a kind person.' The two senses are unrelated in meaning, so the context makes clear which one applies.

'Kind of' has two uses. Literally it introduces a category, as in 'what kind of music do you like?' Informally, 'kind of' softens a statement to mean 'somewhat' or 'a little,' as in 'I'm kind of tired.' The casual sense is very common in spoken English.

'Whales are a kind of mammal, not a fish.' Here 'kind' groups whales into the broader category of mammals based on shared features. Other examples include 'this kind of problem' or 'a new kind of technology,' where 'kind' points to a class of similar things.