kind

1 of 2

noun

ˈkīnd

: a group united by common traits or interests : category

: a specific or recognized variety

what kind of car do you drive

: a doubtful or barely admissible member of a category

a kind of gray

: fundamental nature or quality : essence

a difference in degree but not in kind

: goods or commodities as distinguished from money

payment in kind

: the equivalent of what has been offered or received

promised to return the favor in kind

archaic : nature

archaic : family, lineage

archaic : manner

kind

2 of 2

adjective

: of a sympathetic or helpful nature

was helped by a kind neighbor

They were very kind to us.

: of a forbearing nature : gentle

kind treatment of animals

: arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance

a kind act

a kind smile

: of a kind to give pleasure or relief

cooled by a kind breeze

chiefly dialectal : affectionate, loving

Phrases

all kinds of

: many

likes all kinds of sports

: 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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For a limited time, thousands of one-of-a-kind products are up to 60% off and ready to impress any Secret Santa giftee or person who has everything on your list.

Jake Smith And Talia Abbas, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2022 The one-of-a-kind, independent hotels cater to travelers who prize unique, bespoke experiences.

Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2022 The Aera Diffuser is one-of-a-kind in that it’s an essential oil diffuser controlled entirely by smartphone app.

Rebecca Norris Updated, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2022 The tour will also feature a silent auction with holiday baskets and one-of-a-kind items.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2022 At Kaori, the new incense room within the Japanese store and restaurant Ogata Paris, Gaia Repossi embarks on a one-of-a-kind sensory journey.

Alice Cavanagh, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2022 Artists create one-of-a-kind ornaments for the Winter Wonderland Ornament Spectacular.

The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2022 The owners of one-of-a-kind shops and stores invite you in to sample their wares in this new series.

cleveland, 20 Nov. 2022 These are some of the people behind the art that will be for sale at several holiday art markets in the next few weeks — events designed to offer unusual, one-of-a-kind gift possibilities for holiday gift-giving.

Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Nov. 2022

Adjective

Pyle was remembered as a generous and kind person, a mother who had wedding plans in the near future.

Anchorage Daily News, 27 Nov. 2022 Pyle, 52, was remembered as a generous and kind person, a mother who had wedding plans in the near future.

Tyneka Johnson, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2022 Pyle was remembered as a generous and kind person, a mother who had wedding plans in the near future.

Claire Thornton And Paul Bibeau, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2022 He’s so talented, so professional, so egoless and just a really kind person.

Brent Lang, Variety, 23 Nov. 2022 Ethan Chapin was a kind and loyal person that his mother will miss intensely.

Christina Zdanowicz, Sara Smart And Eric Levenson, CNN, 18 Nov. 2022 And as Robin, McDonald appears to be a kind and gentle-natured husband, but there’s an unpredictable mean streak lurking underneath.

Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2022 Luckily, Big Lil appeared as kind and forgiving as Ruby.

Jordan Calhoun, Men's Health, 2 Nov. 2022 Many collectors were kind and accepting, and some were vocally against poaching.

Brian Howey, WIRED, 20 Oct. 2022 See More

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.