ilk

¹ American  

[ilk] / ɪlk /

noun

1. family, class, or kind.

   he and all his ilk.

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adjective

1. same.

idioms

1. of that ilk,

   1. (in Scotland) of the same family name or place.

      Ross of that ilk, i.e., Ross of Ross.

   2. of the same class or kind.

ilk ² American  

[ilk] / ɪlk /

pronoun

1. each.

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adjective

1. each; every.

ilk ¹ British  

/ ɪlk /

noun

1. a type; class; sort (esp in the phrase of that, his, her, etc, ilk )

   people of that ilk should not be allowed here

2. of the place of the same name: used to indicate that the person named is proprietor or laird of the place named

   Moncrieff of that ilk

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ilk ² British  

/ ɪlk, ˈɪlkə /

determiner

1. each; every

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Usage

Although the use of ilk in the sense of sense 1 is sometimes condemned as being the result of a misunderstanding of the original Scottish expression of that ilk , it is nevertheless well established and generally acceptable

Etymology

Origin of ilk¹

before 900; Middle English ilke, Old English ilca (pronoun) the same, equivalent to demonstrative i (cognate with Gothic is he, Latin is that) + a reduced form of līc like ¹; cf. which, such

Origin of ilk²

before 900; Middle English ilk, north variant of ilch, Old English ylc (pronoun) each

Explanation

Ilk is a certain type of person, usually a type you don't care for. The word is used in sentences like "I'm tired of you and your ilk! When you say "you and your ilk," you mean "you and everyone just like you." And that's not usually meant in a nice way. You probably wouldn't talk about Nelson Mandela and his ilk — ilk sounds negative. Usually, you're talking about a criminal and his ilk, or a crooked politician and his ilk. If someone is talking about your ilk, it might be time to get new friends or change your ways.

Example Sentences

But it seems that the general idea that the team needed someone of that ilk never went away, and it's easy to see why.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

But it’s refreshing to see a film operate outside of the gray area, where so many movies of its ilk have gotten lost in recent years.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Americans don’t like inflation of any ilk, but it is back in the 2% to 3% range, and that has been just fine.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

“Data of this ilk would reinforce the idea that the U.S. economy continues to experience gradual disinflation, despite the upside price risks presented by tariffs,” Pepperstone’s Michael Brown said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Skahaz was the Shavepate ... and the vilest of traitors to the Sons of the Harpy and their ilk.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin