kin

¹

[ kin ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. a person's relatives collectively; kinfolk.
2. family relationship or kinship.
3. a group of persons descended from a common ancestor or constituting a people, clan, tribe, or family.
4. a relative or kinsman.
5. someone or something of the same or similar kind:

   philosophy and its kin, theology.

adjective

1. of the same family; related; akin.
2. of the same kind or nature; having affinity.

-kin

²

1. a diminutive suffix of nouns:

   lambkin.

-kin

¹

suffix forming nouns

1. small

   lambkin

kin

²

/ kɪn /

noun

1. a person's relatives collectively; kindred
2. a class or group with similar characteristics
3. See next of kin

adjective

1. postpositive related by blood
2. a less common word for akin

Other Words From

• kinless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kin¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English cyn; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German kunni, Old Norse kyn, Gothic kuni; akin to Latin genus, Greek génos, Sanskrit jánas; gender ¹.

Origin of kin²

Middle English < Middle Dutch, Middle Low German -ken; cognate with German -chen

Word History and Origins

Origin of kin¹

from Middle Dutch, of West Germanic origin; compare German -chen

Origin of kin²

Old English cyn; related to Old Norse kyn family, Old High German kind child, Latin genus kind

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. of kin, of the same family; related; akin:

   Although their surnames are identical they are not of kin.

More idioms and phrases containing kin

see kith and kin .

Example Sentences

He said her next of kin had been updated on the development and are being supported by specialist family liaison officers.

From BBC

The force said the girl had died at the scene and her next of kin had been informed.

From BBC

The next of kin of more than 30 former public servants will receive the Emblem following a campaign by the fathers of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, who were murdered by Dale Cregan in Greater Manchester in 2012.

From BBC

The Elizabeth Emblem, named after the late Queen, will be given to the next of kin of more than 30 deceased firefighters, police officers and public servants in recognition of their loved ones.

From BBC

The force issued a statement on 22 October saying "the deceased's next of kin have been informed and his family are being supported by specialist officers".

From BBC