kindred

American  

[kin-drid] / ˈkɪn drɪd /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

kindreds plural

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

• kindredness
  noun
• kindredship
  noun
• kindredless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• kindreds
  plural

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

See Examples For:

kindred kindreds

He also raved about chicken fried steak, posting on X: “Every Scottish person in America needs to immediately try Chicken Fried Steak, and you’ll realise we and the Americans are kindred spirits.”

From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026

All the same, it’s no news that these two artists are of a kindred spirit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

"We just joined forces and we have never looked back since, and it was great to have a kindred spirit on this journey," Bannister said.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

Godfred, 43, is delighted to be with such a diverse group of kindred spirits.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

And even Elisabet isn’t truly a kindred spirit.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Come with me as I follow this host of real-deal Dallas kindreds.

From Southern Living ● Sep. 16, 2010

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.

From Time Magazine Archive

Never again shall there be any such league of Elves and Men; for Men multiply and the Firstborn decrease, and the two kindreds are estranged.

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

The system of organized kindreds gradually breaks down.

From An Introduction to the Philosophy of Law by Pound, Roscoe

Nevertheless, he remained obedient to the law which shielded him, while the forest, which seems so empty, but is in reality so populous, sent its furtive kindreds past his hiding-place.

From The Haunters of the Silences A Book of Animal Life by Roberts, Charles George Douglas, Sir