kind
kynd
Kind (noun) means a type or category of thing that shares common features with others. Example: “What kind of music do you like?”
noun
1
A type or category of thing that shares common features with others.
"What kind of music do you like?"
"There are many kinds of apples at the market."
"This kind of bread stays fresh for several days."
adj
1
Friendly, generous, and considerate toward others.
"It was very kind of her to help the new student settle in."
"He always speaks in a kind and patient way."
"A kind stranger returned my lost wallet to the station."
How to use kind
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a type/category of something, or (as an adjective) someone gentle, generous, and thoughtful toward others.
Common mistake
"Kind of" as a filler meaning "somewhat" ("I'm kind of tired") is informal — avoid it in formal writing.
Common pairings
kind of
a kind gesture
all kinds of
be kind to
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Word forms
- Plural
- kinds
- Comparative
- kinder
- Superlative
- kindest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What _____ of music do you like?
Etymology
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for kind
See all rhymes for kind →Frequently asked questions
What does “kind” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “kind”?
“Kind” is pronounced kynd (/kaɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “kind” in a sentence?
Here is “kind” used in a sentence: “What kind of music do you like?”
What is another word for “kind”?
Words with a similar meaning to “kind” include genre, sort, type, generation, derivative and offspring.
What part of speech is “kind”?
Depending on how it is used, “kind” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “kind” come from?
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.".
Is “kind” a common word?
“Kind” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “kind” have?
“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.
What is the difference between 'kind' and 'type'?
'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.
Is 'kind' a noun or an adjective?
'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.
What does 'kind of' mean?
'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.
What is an example of 'kind' meaning a category?
'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.
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