kind

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: 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
3
a
: 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
4
a
archaic : nature
b
archaic : family, lineage
5
archaic : manner

kind

2 of 2

adjective

1
a
: 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
Phrases
all kinds of
1
: many
likes all kinds of sports
2
: plenty of
has all kinds of time
Choose the Right Synonym for kind

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Live music of a different kind provides the atmosphere at the award-winning Sola Jazz Lounge. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024 Not an obvious, overpowering kind—something much subtler, like a little cut that refuses to heal. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Ride the wave by being a little kinder to yourself, pursuing an active lifestyle, establishing boundaries, building a supportive network, and seeking professional support. Sho Dewan, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Reviewers haven’t been kind to Moana 2, compared to the first film, but that doesn’t seem to be impacting interest. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kind 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English kinde, from Old English cynd; akin to Old English cynn kin

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of kind was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near kind

Cite this Entry

“Kind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kind. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

kind

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a group united by common traits or interests : category
hawks and other birds of their kind
b
: variety sense 3a
all kinds of people
what kind of car do you have
c
: one that is barely a member of a category
a kind of gray
2
: essential quality or character
differences in kind
3
a
: goods as distinguished from money
payment in kind rather than in cash
b
: something equal to what has been offered or received
returned the favor in kind

kind

2 of 2 adjective
1
: wanting and liking to do good and to bring happiness to others
2
: showing or growing out of gentleness or goodness of heart
a kind act

Legal Definition

kind

noun
1
: a particular type, category, or class
properties of like kind
see also like-kind exchange
2
a
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on kind

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