kindred

American  

[kin-drid] / ˈkɪn drɪd /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a person's relatives collectively; kinfolk; kin.

2. a group of persons related to another; family, tribe, or clan.

3. relationship by birth or descent, or sometimes by marriage; kinship.

4. resemblance or connection; affinity.

   spiritual kindred.

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adjective

1. associated by origin, nature, qualities, etc..

   kindred languages.

2. having the same belief, attitude, or feeling.

   We are kindred spirits on the issue of gun control.

3. related by birth or descent; having kinship.

   kindred tribes.

4. belonging to kin or relatives.

   kindred blood.

kindred British  

/ ˈkɪndrɪd /

adjective

1. having similar or common qualities, origin, etc

2. related by blood or marriage

3. a person with whom one has something in common

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noun

1. relationship by blood

2. similarity in character

3. a person's relatives collectively

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• kindredship
  noun
• kindredless
  adjective
• kindredness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of kindred

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, variant (with epenthetic d ) of kinrede; see kin, -red

Explanation

Your kindred are your people. If you say are going to visit your kindred during the holidays, that means you are going to visit your relatives. The word kindred can be used as either an adjective or a noun. The noun version is somewhat archaic — you are more likely to encounter this word in classic literature than in casual conversation. You may be more familiar with the adjective version of the word, which has gained popular usage in the term “kindred spirit” or “kindred soul,” which is used to describe those who share similar attitudes, characteristics, or beliefs.

Example Sentences

The rise of independent AI agents means a single human entrepreneur could be aided by thousands, or millions of such bots, said Steve Jang, founder and managing partner of Kindred Ventures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Kindred, for example, has a $100,000 host-protection guarantee in the event of damage and $1 million in liability insurance for all hosts included in its membership fee.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

Felicity Gillespie, director of charitable foundation Kindred Squared, said "evidence-based" screentime guidance for parents was "overdue and very welcome".

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

“We’ll see the bottom drop out if we don’t get a deal with China soon,” said Ron Kindred, who farms 1,700 acres of corn and soybeans in central Illinois.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 7, 2025

“Paragon of Sound. Kindred marvel,” Headmarveller MacDonald said.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton