akin

adjective

ə-ˈkin 

1

: related by blood : descended from a common ancestor or prototype

The dog and fox are closely akin.

2

: essentially similar, related, or compatible

His interests are akin to mine.

Synonyms of akin

• related
• comparable

Examples of akin in a Sentence

The two languages are closely akin.

foxes are closely akin to dogs

Recent Examples on the Web

For anyone interested in fine dining, the awards are akin to the film industry’s Academy Awards (and included almost as much fanfare). — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

For one of the optimistic developers of AI, the musically minded computer scientist Marvin Minsky, the Media Lab functioned akin to a surgeon removing blockages to the imagination. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Despite the rain and wind toppling over organizer tents, the energy of Souls to the Polls felt akin to a backyard barbecue; organizers say that’s exactly the point. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026

Various items are quite large, like altars that might need to be taken apart and put back together in a process akin to an intricate jigsaw puzzle. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 1 + kin entry 1

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for akin

• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

akin

adjective

ə-ˈkin 

1

: related by blood

2

: essentially similar or related