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

See Examples For:

kind of

It’s the kind of PR win that climate groups trying to persuade governments to move to a new energy system never achieved.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

The figurative enemy, Hofstadter wrote, “is a perfect model of malice, a kind of amoral superman — sinister, ubiquitous, powerful, cruel, sensual, luxury-loving.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

Clara says she was "so naive and vulnerable" at that age and had no sense of how "normal" this kind of behaviour was in an adult relationship.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

It was unclear what kind of wanted notice Russia had issued and whether other countries or law enforcement bodies would accept or comply with it.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

And Father’s face would light up with a kind of pleased surprise as it always did on those rare occasions when he thought about the business side of watchmaking.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• rather