kinship

[kin-ship]

noun

1. the state or fact of being of kin; family relationship.

   Synonyms: connection

2. relationship by nature, qualities, etc.; affinity.

   Synonyms: bearing, connection

kinship

/ ˈkɪnʃɪp /

noun

1. blood relationship

2. the state of having common characteristics or a common origin

kinship

1. A relation between two or more persons that is based on common ancestry (descent) or marriage (affinity).

Word History and Origins

Origin of kinship¹

First recorded in 1825–35; kin + -ship

Synonym Study

See relationship.

Example Sentences

There is a deep sense of shared community and kinship, and no matter who they are, they call each other cousin, auntie and uncle.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After making her first foray into directing this season, Han learned to embrace the unknown — kind of like Conrad, a character she feels a special kinship to.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Third, there are Indian citizens of Nepali ethnicity - descendants of earlier waves of migration in the 18th to 20th Centuries - who are rooted in India but still claim cultural kinship with Nepal.

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Reading about Decibel’s original lychee martini, I felt an odd kinship — as if my own fruit obsession had been quietly waiting in the city all along.

Read more on Salon

The department added it was "committed to ensuring adopted and kinship families continue to receive the help they need to thrive".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affinity