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

The developers have said the project was designed to complement the neighborhood, and its character and would be more akin to a telephone exchange from a previous era than a large industrial hyperscale facility. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2026

Whoever replaces him will face much higher stakes, akin to Tim Cook after Steve Jobs at Apple. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Nov. 2026

It's supposed to be a sweeping and constructive process, akin to holding up a mirror to governments to improve their human rights policies. — ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

It’s supposed to be a sweeping and constructive process, akin to holding up a mirror to governments to improve their human rights policies. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 10 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