kind of

Idioms  

1. Also, sort of. Rather, somewhat, as in I'm kind of hungry, or The bird looked sort of like a sparrow. [Colloquial; c. 1800] This usage should not be confused with a kind of or a sort of, which are much older and refer to a borderline member of a given category (as in a kind of a shelter or a sort of a bluish color). Shakespeare had this usage in Two Gentlemen of Verona (3:1): “My master is a kind of a knave.” Also see of a kind.

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Example Sentences

"That's the kind of gulf that we've got," said McClarkin.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

"The kind of film that works... is a good film, a popular film, a film that people enjoy," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

“At first it does kind of look a little goofy, a little silly,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

But he was only 5, so the memories are kind of sketchy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

But it does raise the question: What kind of person am I?

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Related Words

• rather