noun Uncommon

kinship

KIHN-shihp

Kinship (noun) means the connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption. Example: “The tribe's social structure is built entirely around kinship ties.”

noun

The connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption.

"The tribe's social structure is built entirely around kinship ties."

"She traced her kinship with the family back three generations."

A strong sense of closeness or shared identity with someone, even without a family connection.

"The two veterans felt an instant kinship after realizing they'd served in the same unit."

How to use kinship

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing related to someone, or feeling a close bond with them as if you were.

Common pairings

a sense of kinship ties of kinship kinship network

Word forms

kinships plural

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The tribe's social structure is built entirely around _____ ties.

Etymology

From kin + -ship, the same suffix that turns "friend" into "friendship."

Synonyms

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relationship affinity family relationship

Related words

relationship friendship chemistry correlation similarity affinity one-night stand

Frequently asked questions

What does “kinship” mean?

The word “kinship” means the connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption. In plain terms, being related to someone, or feeling a close bond with them as if you were.

How do you pronounce “kinship”?

“Kinship” is pronounced KIHN-shihp (/ˈkɪnʃɪp/ in IPA).

How do you use “kinship” in a sentence?

Here is “kinship” used in a sentence: “The tribe's social structure is built entirely around kinship ties.”

What part of speech is “kinship”?

“Kinship” is a noun.

Is “kinship” a common word?

“Kinship” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “kinship” have?

“Kinship” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the connection between people through blood, marriage, or adoption.

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Vocabulary lists that include kinship:

Words that start with K Words that end with P

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