kissing cousin

noun

1

: one that is closely related in kind to something else

2

: a person and especially a relative whom one knows well enough to kiss more or less formally upon meeting

Examples of kissing cousin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the majority of Americans aren’t socialists and don’t wish to be governed by kissing cousins of Karl Marx and Kim Jong Un. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Many of the new school of nootropic and functional drinks are like kissing cousins of mushroom coffee, except in refreshing soda form. — Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Nov. 2025

Whereas the Missouri entry is known for its live entertainment backdropped by majestic beauty, its kissing cousin in Tennessee has that and a whole lot more. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 4 June 2025

Unfortunately, the top-tier Avenir, even with its nearly $60k base price, is outclassed by competitors, including its kissing cousin, the Cadillac XT6. — Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 12 June 2023

Morning glory is easy to grow from seeds in most soils and is a kissing cousin to field bindweed, one of the weed vines for later discussion. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 9 Aug. 2021

Rethink Overalls Get over your jumpsuit by flirting with its kissing cousin, the overall. — Vogue, 28 Mar. 2019

Indeed, the founders recognized bureaucratic oppression as a kissing cousin to taxation, and said so in the Declaration of Independence, equating each with a single mention. — Dana D. Kelley, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for kissing cousin

• dozen