akin

[uh-kin]

adjective

1. of kin; related by blood (usually used predicatively).

   cousins who were too closely akin for marriage.

2. allied by nature; having the same properties.

   Something akin to vertigo was troubling her.

   Synonyms: parallel, comparable, analogous, similar, cognate

3. having or showing an affinity; kindred.

   They are emotionally but not intellectually akin.

akin

/ əˈkɪn /

adjective

1. related by blood; of the same kin

2. (often foll by to) having similar characteristics, properties, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of akin¹

First recorded in 1580–90; a- ², kin

Example Sentences

Love and affection run past the margins, brushing up against shame and fear for a conclusion that’s akin to lingering a bit longer after a holiday dinner.

Read more on Salon

The role is more akin to that of a football quarterback, calling plays that an entire team must execute.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For something completely different, I decided to try her New York Dutch Baby, which is a kind of giant, puffy pancake akin to Yorkshire pudding.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lloyd’s employees complained to its governing council, akin to a board of directors, about the perceived preferential treatment of Clement, people familiar with Lloyds said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

More recently, China has been increasing its naval activity near South Korea's maritime border – a move akin to those seen in the South China Sea.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• analogous 
• comparable 
• similar