Kind

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kaɪnd/ kʰɑɪ̯nd
• Rhymes: -aɪnd

From Old English cynd ("generation, kind, nature, race"), Ä¡ecynd, from Proto-Germanic *kundiz, *gakundiz, related to *kunjÄ…. See also kin.

Full definition of kind

Noun

1. A type, race or category; a group of entities that have common characteristics such that they may be grouped together.
   What kind of a person are you?
   This is a strange kind of tobacco.
• William ShakespeareHow diversely Love doth his pageants play,
  And shows his power in variable kinds !
• 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, “… the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like
    Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer,
  With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer. …”
2. A makeshift or otherwise atypical specimen.
   The opening served as a kind of window.
• 1884, Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Chapter VIIII got my traps out of the canoe and made me a nice camp in the thick woods. I made a kind of a tent out of my blankets to put my things under so the rain couldn't get at them.
3. (archaic) One's inherent nature; character, natural disposition.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, Book III:why haue ye slayne my houndes said syr gauayne, for they dyd but their kynde ...
4. (payment)Goods or services used as payment, as e.g. in barter.
• John DrydenSome of you, on pure instinct of nature,
  Are led by kind t'admire your fellow-creature.
5. Equivalent means used as response to an action.
   I'll pay in kind for his insult.

Usage notes

In sense “goods or services” or “equivalent means”, used almost exclusively with “in” in expression in kind.

Synonyms

• genre
• sort
• type
• derivative

• generation
• offspring
• child

Derived terms

• in kind
• kind of
• kinda

Related terms

• kindhood
• kindred
• kin, kinship

Pronunciation

• enPR: kÄ«nd, IPA: /kaɪnd/
• Rhymes: -aɪnd

From Old English cynde ("innate, natural, native"), Ä¡ecynde, from cynd.

Adjective

1. having a benevolent, courteous, friendly, generous, gentle, liberal, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature or disposition, marked by consideration for - and service to - others.
2. Affectionate.a kind man; a kind heart
• GoldsmithYet was he kind, or if severe in aught,
  The love he bore to learning was his fault.
• WallerO cruel Death, to those you take more kind
  Than to the wretched mortals left behind.
3. Favorable.
4. mild, gentle, forgivingThe years have been kind to Richard Gere; he ages well.
5. Gentle; tractable; easily governed.a horse kind in harness
6. (obsolete) Characteristic of the species; belonging to one's nature; natural; native.
• HollandIt becometh sweeter than it should be, and loseth the kind taste.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Anagrams

• dink, DINK