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

• kindredless adjective
• kindredness noun
• kindredship noun

Etymology

Origin of kindred

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

Leonardo da Vinci would have recognized a kindred spirit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Founding Father Alexander Hamilton met a kindred spirit in Caracas-born Francisco de Miranda, who fought for both the American and French revolutionary causes.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

Egypt felt something kindred in listening to “Planet Rock,” the genre-bending anthem by East Coast hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

The investor found kindred spirits at a bitcoin-focused data-center developer, now called IREN, and joined its board.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

‘Welcome son of Thranduil! Too seldom do my kindred journey hither from the North.’

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien