kind

¹

[ kahynd ]

adjective

, kind·er, kind·est.

1. of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person:

   a kind and loving person.

   Synonyms: compassionate, tender, gentle, benignant, benign, mild

   Antonyms: cruel

2. having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence:

   kind words.

3. indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often followed by to ):

   to be kind to animals.

4. mild; gentle; clement:

   kind weather.

5. British Dialect. loving; affectionate.

kind

²

[ kahynd ]

noun

1. a class or group of individual objects, people, animals, etc., of the same nature or character, or classified together because they have traits in common; category:

   Our dog is the same kind as theirs.

   Synonyms: set, breed, species, genus, order

2. nature or character as determining likeness or difference between things:

   These differ in degree rather than in kind.

3. a person or thing as being of a particular character or class:

   He is a strange kind of hero.

4. a more or less adequate example of something; sort:

   The vines formed a kind of roof.

5. Archaic.
   1. the nature, or natural disposition or character.
   2. manner; form.
6. Obsolete. gender; sex.

kind

¹

/ kaɪnd /

noun

1. a class or group having characteristics in common; sort; type

   two of a kind

   what kind of creature?

2. an instance or example of a class or group, esp a rudimentary one

   heating of a kind

3. essential nature or character

   the difference is one of kind rather than degree

4. archaic.
   gender or sex
5. archaic.
   nature; the natural order
6. in kind
   1. (of payment) in goods or produce rather than in money
   2. with something of the same sort

      to return an insult in kind

7. kind of informal.
   1. adverb somewhat; rather

      kind of tired

   2. sentence substitute used to express reservation or qualified assent

      I figured it out. Kind of

kind

²

/ kaɪnd /

adjective

1. having a friendly or generous nature or attitude
2. helpful to others or to another

   a kind deed

3. considerate or humane
4. cordial; courteous (esp in the phrase kind regards )
5. pleasant; agreeable; mild

   a kind climate

6. informal.
   beneficial or not harmful

   a detergent that is kind to the hands

7. archaic.
   loving

Usage Note

The phrase these (or those ) kind of, followed by a plural noun ( these kind of flowers; those kind of shoes ) is frequently condemned as ungrammatical because it is said to combine a plural demonstrative ( these; those ) with a singular noun, kind. Historically, kind is an unchanged or unmarked plural noun like deer, folk, sheep, and swine, and the construction these kind of is an old one, occurring in the writings of Shakespeare, Swift, Jane Austen, and, in modern times, Jimmy Carter and Winston Churchill. Kind has also developed the plural kinds, evidently because of the feeling that the old pattern was incorrect. These kind of nevertheless persists in use, especially in less formal speech and writing. In edited, more formal prose, this kind of and these kinds of are more common. Sort of has been influenced by the use of kind as an unchanged plural: these sort of books. This construction too is often considered incorrect and appears mainly in less formal speech and writing. Kind (or sort ) of as an adverbial modifier meaning “somewhat” occurs in informal speech and writing: Sales have been kind (or sort ) of slow these last few weeks.

Usage

The mixture of plural and singular constructions, although often used informally with kind and sort , should be avoided in serious writing: children enjoy those kinds (not those kind ) of stories; these sorts (not these sort ) of distinctions are becoming blurred

Word History and Origins

Origin of kind¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English kind(e) “natural, well-disposed,” Old English gecynde “natural;” genial ¹, kind ²

Origin of kind²

First recorded before 900; Middle English kinde, Old English gecynd “nature, race, origin”; cognate with Old Norse kyndi, Old High German kikunt, Latin gēns (genitive gentis ); kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of kind¹

Old English gecynd nature; compare Old English cyn kin , Gothic kuni race, Old High German kikunt, Latin gens

Origin of kind²

Old English gecynde natural, native; see kind ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in kind,
   1. in something of the same kind or in the same way as that received or borne:

      They will be repaid in kind for their rudeness.

   2. in goods, commodities, or services rather than money:

      In colonial times, payment was often made in kind.

2. kind of, Informal. to some extent; somewhat; rather:

   The room was kind of dark.

3. of a kind, of the same class, nature, character, etc.:

   They are two of a kind.

More idioms and phrases containing kind

In addition to the idiom beginning with kind , also see all kinds of ; in kind ; nothing of the kind ; of a kind ; two of a kind .

Synonym Study

Kind, gracious, kindhearted, kindly imply a sympathetic attitude toward others, and a willingness to do good or give pleasure. Kind implies a deep-seated characteristic shown either habitually or on occasion by considerate behavior: a kind father. Gracious often refers to kindness from a superior or older person to a subordinate, an inferior, a child, etc.: a gracious monarch. Kindhearted implies an emotionally sympathetic nature, sometimes easily imposed upon: a kindhearted old woman. Kindly, a mild word, refers usually to general disposition, appearance, manner, etc.: a kindly face.

Example Sentences

Aboriginal communities and scientists are concerned about devastating wildfires raging through forests deprived of that kind of burning since the arrival of European colonists in the 18th and 19th centuries.

From Science Magazine

"Microbes are the pioneers colonizing this kind of environment and preparing the ground for the next succession of life," Wagner said.

From Science Daily

Following the song’s debut, McGraw said: “This little 5-year-old blond girl came up and kind of tugged on my shirt and said, you know, ‘You just sang a song about my dad, didn’t you?’

From Los Angeles Times

Lawrence is that kind of guy, and “I Like Movies” is that kind of movie: Both revel in name-drops and really specific, niche details designed to draw in a select audience.

From New York Times

Postal Service, the kind of downsizing that Mr. Ramaswamy outlined during his presidential bid — as many as 1.65 million layoffs — would have repercussions for the economy and communities across the country.

From New York Times

Related Words

• affectionate
• amiable
• charitable
• compassionate
• considerate
• cordial
• courteous
• friendly
• gentle
• gracious
• humane
• kindhearted
• kindly
• loving
• sympathetic
• thoughtful
• tolerant