kind
1 Americanadjective
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kinder,
comparative
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kindest
superlative
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of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person.
a kind and loving person.
- Antonyms:
- cruel
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having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence.
kind words.
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indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often followed byto ).
to be kind to animals.
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kind weather.
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British Dialect. loving; affectionate.
noun
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kinds
plural
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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.
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nature or character as determining likeness or difference between things.
These differ in degree rather than in kind.
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a person or thing as being of a particular character or class.
He is a strange kind of hero.
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a more or less adequate example of something; sort.
The vines formed a kind of roof.
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Archaic.
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the nature, or natural disposition or character.
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manner; form.
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Obsolete. gender; sex.
idioms
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in kind,
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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.
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in goods, commodities, or services rather than money.
In colonial times, payment was often made in kind.
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kind of, to some extent; somewhat; rather.
The room was kind of dark.
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of a kind, of the same class, nature, character, etc..
They are two of a kind.
noun
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a class or group having characteristics in common; sort; type
two of a kind
what kind of creature?
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an instance or example of a class or group, esp a rudimentary one
heating of a kind
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essential nature or character
the difference is one of kind rather than degree
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archaic gender or sex
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archaic nature; the natural order
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(of payment) in goods or produce rather than in money
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with something of the same sort
to return an insult in kind
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informal
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(adverb) somewhat; rather
kind of tired
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(sentence substitute) used to express reservation or qualified assent
I figured it out. Kind of
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adjective
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having a friendly or generous nature or attitude
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helpful to others or to another
a kind deed
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considerate or humane
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cordial; courteous (esp in the phrase kind regards )
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pleasant; agreeable; mild
a kind climate
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informal beneficial or not harmful
a detergent that is kind to the hands
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archaic loving
Usage
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.
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
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of kind1
First recorded before 900; Middle English kind(e) “natural, well-disposed,” Old English gecynde “natural;” see origin at 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 ); see kin
Explanation
A helpful and considerate nature can be described as kind. It is kind of someone to volunteer to rake their elderly neighbor's leaves in the fall. As a noun, kind refers to the variety or specific type of something. The adjective kind also describes showing sympathy or giving comfort. If someone's feelings are hurt, a kind word can go a long way to making that person feel better. When kind means "type," you might talk about a kind of cake — chocolate or vanilla — or a kind of person who likes to live alone. If you are kind of interested in something, you are only partially interested in it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They focused on a central question: "What kind of material structure could cover almost all the thermal properties needed for a perfect cloak?"
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
"I've made so many friends through Bleach, it's been such a wonderful part of my life both in terms of what it teaches me and the kind of people I meet through it," says Ebbs.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
“The idea itself is kind of laughable, isn’t it?”
From Slate ● Oct. 26, 2026
Kimmerle says it isn’t clear what kind of arrangement—if any—the two companies had about the rights to the candy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
My face is ashy, my eyes are red, and although Aunt J was kind enough to put a bonnet on my head, I’m pretty sure my hair is a mess.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
There are many kinds of healthy friendships, but probably two kinds of toxic friendships.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 25, 2026
It will consider the kinds of venues and transport links required, how different cities could share the games, how communities could benefit.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
By revealing this previously overlooked structure, the team offers a new way to understand what words communicate and why certain kinds of meaning dominate everyday conversation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Dolly herself, famously, appreciated so many other kinds of music.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
The very thought of jungles brought up visions of all kinds of man-eating things like lions, tigers, and gorillas.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
This breezy romp is a refreshing change from overwrought epics and anxiously earnest stories-with-a-message; Ibbotson’s offbeat, cozy prose reads like a daffier Ms. Rowling or a kinder Roald Dahl.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
He adopted a kinder, more family-friendly public persona while also embracing fatherhood - he has three children via surrogacy.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
The "Country Roads" appeal lies in the way it conveys "a kinder, simpler era with less conflict and division," said Doug Hartmann, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
The Actor Awards have been kinder: Bateman won three lead actor statuettes for “Ozark.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026
The kinder her words, the harder I cried.
From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson
She added: "I think it's the kindest initiative ever and we are so very grateful to have something so meaningful gifted to us."
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
Milo Manheim, who played Zed, shared a series of photos with the caption: "Love you Carlaboo, the sweetest, kindest, most loving person."
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Fashion designer Donatella Versace said: "The world has lost one of the kindest and most generous of souls, the greatest of story tellers and a true legend of music."
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
That’s just about the kindest thing the congressman has had to say about his would-be successor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
She was described by a Spiritualist historian as, “The best test, rapping and physical medium I ever met, as well as one of the kindest and most noble-hearted of women.”
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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