kind

\ ˈkīnd

How to pronounce kind (audio)

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Definition of kind

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a group united by common traits or interests : category

b : a specific or recognized variety what kind of car do you drive

c : a doubtful or barely admissible member of a category a kind of gray

2 : fundamental nature or quality : essence a difference in degree but not in kind

3a : goods or commodities as distinguished from money payment in kind

b : the equivalent of what has been offered or received promised to return the favor in kind

4a archaic : nature

b archaic : family, lineage

5 archaic : manner

all kinds of

1 : many likes all kinds of sports

2 : plenty of has all kinds of time

kind

Definition of kind (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : of a sympathetic or helpful nature was helped by a kind neighbor They were very kind to us.

b : of a forbearing nature : gentle kind treatment of animals

c : arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance a kind act a kind smile

2 : of a kind to give pleasure or relief cooled by a kind breeze

3 chiefly dialectal : affectionate, loving

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about kind

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Choose the Right Synonym for kind

Noun

type, kind, sort, nature, description, character mean a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities. type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group. one of three basic body types kind may suggest natural grouping. a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind sort often suggests some disparagement. the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses. two problems of a similar nature description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined. not all acts of that description are actually illegal character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type. research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Examples of kind in a Sentence

Noun hawks and other birds of that kind In this city, you'll find many kinds of people. I like to try different kinds of food. She described the color as a kind of red. I think he's an accountant, financial adviser, or something of that kind. Adjective A kind old woman took the cat in and nursed it back to health. It was very kind of you to show me the way. Thank you for your kind words.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Every day, the one-of-a-kind, whimsical creation announces the day’s weather with a fanfare of trumpets, a spray of mist and a cast of creatures. — oregonlive, "Portland’s whimsical Weather Machine has been forecasting from Pioneer Courthouse Square since 1988," 11 Jan. 2020 The booming new business has seen a slew of technology innovations aimed at supporting and solving problems unique to a first-of-a-kind industry. — Alicia Wallace, CNN, "CES 2020 hit by questions over its treatment of cannabis company," 8 Jan. 2020 Recently, the bourbon club was introduced to a one-of-a-kind bourbon, Cody Road, from Mississippi River Distilling Co. in Iowa. — Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "There are only 280 bottles of this bourbon in the world -- and they're being sold at Oconomowoc's Vino Etcetera," 2 Jan. 2020 As a thank-you, Mattel sent Nadkarni a one-of-a-kind doll with tree-climbing gear and full dark hair woven with strands of white that made the doll resemble the scientist. — Time, "New Line of 'Scientist Barbies' Refashions Dolls as Marine Biologists, Astrophysicists and More," 31 Dec. 2019 Pitched as a one-of-a-kind community brimming with opportunity in the 1960s, Towne and Terrace is currently disintegrating. — Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, "10 IndyStar stories of loss, love, hope and redemption that made us feel things in 2019," 31 Dec. 2019 As a thank-you, Mattel sent Nadkarni a one-of-a-kind doll with tree-climbing gear and full dark hair woven with strands of white that made the doll resemble the scientist. — Washington Post, "Rainforest researcher helps create new scientist Barbies," 30 Dec. 2019 As a thank-you, Mattel sent Nadkarni a one-of-a-kind doll with tree-climbing gear and full dark hair woven with strands of white that made the doll resemble the scientist. — Lindsay Whitehurst, USA TODAY, "Barbie dolls refashioned as scientists with help from a forest ecologist," 30 Dec. 2019 The Darksaber is an ancient one-of-a-kind black lightsaber created by Tarre Vizslam — the first Mandalorian inducted into the Jedi Order. — James Hibberd, EW.com, "The Mandalorian finale had 7 big revelations (and two secret cameos)," 27 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The company plans to share details of this first-of-its-kind experiment in the coming weeks. — Marcia Dunn, Anchorage Daily News, "Space-baked cookies and ‘mighty’ mice return to Earth with capsule splashdown," 7 Jan. 2020 This is, to be kind, something that probably elicits vigorous nods at a McKinsey PowerPoint presentation. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Pete Buttigieg, Progressive Saint," 5 Dec. 2019 On Wednesday, the Oregon Court of Appeals agreed with that ruling -- in a first-of-its-kind opinion for an appeals court in this state. — oregonlive, "Oregon judge ordered woman to type in her iPhone passcode so police could search it for evidence against her," 17 Oct. 2019 More than 700 mostly young activists attended the first of its kind Youth Climate Summit, according to Luis Alfonso de Alba, the U.N. special climate summit envoy. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Youth leaders at UN demand bold climate change action," 21 Sep. 2019 This one-of-a-kind outdoor market has become the place to be for fun, food and entertainment, providing the North Shore with a social scene suitable for families, couples and friends of all ages to enjoy. — chicagotribune.com, "Calendar: Celebrate Harry Potter's birthday Wednesday in Lake Forest," 23 July 2019 Certainly, the current experience is — to be kind — underwhelming. — Carolina A. Miranda, latimes.com, "Where’s the urban plan for L.A.’s biggest museum makeover in a decade?," 12 July 2019 Forty years later, Julie Piekarski Probst still remembers Philip McKeon‘s toothy grin and kind heart. — Aurelie Corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Facts of Life's Julie Piekarski Remembers Late Philip McKeon's 'Great Laugh' and 'Big Smile'," 17 Dec. 2019 Mark was a wonderful, kind man who was loved by all who knew him. — courant.com, "Mark A. Pietrandrea," 8 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kind.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Kind.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kind. Accessed 20 January 2020.

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More Definitions for kind

kind

noun

English Language Learners Definition of kind

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a group of people or things that belong together or have some shared quality : a particular type or variety of person or thing

kind

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of kind (Entry 2 of 2)

: having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others : wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others

—used to say that something does not cause harm, is not harsh or unpleasant, etc. —usually + to

—used to make a formal request

See the full definition for kind in the English Language Learners Dictionary

kind

\ ˈkīnd

\

Kids Definition of kind

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a group of persons or things that belong together or have something in common All kinds of people came. What kind of car does she drive?

kind

kinder; kindest

Kids Definition of kind (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : wanting or liking to do good and to bring happiness to others : considerate a kind woman

2 : showing or growing out of gentleness or goodness of heart a kind act

kind

Legal Definition of kind

1 : a particular type, category, or class properties of like kind — see also like-kind exchange

2a : an unconverted form a partition of property in kind broadly : a form other than money forbid a bribe in cash or in kind — see also in-kind

b : the equivalent in value repay a loan in kind

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