kind
1 Americanadjective
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kinder,
comparative
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kindest
superlative
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of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person.
a kind and loving person.
- Antonyms:
- cruel
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having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence.
kind words.
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indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often followed byto ).
to be kind to animals.
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kind weather.
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British Dialect. loving; affectionate.
noun
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kinds
plural
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a class or group of individual objects, people, animals, etc., of the same nature or character, or classified together because they have traits in common; category.
Our dog is the same kind as theirs.
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nature or character as determining likeness or difference between things.
These differ in degree rather than in kind.
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a person or thing as being of a particular character or class.
He is a strange kind of hero.
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a more or less adequate example of something; sort.
The vines formed a kind of roof.
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Archaic.
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the nature, or natural disposition or character.
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manner; form.
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Obsolete. gender; sex.
idioms
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in kind,
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in something of the same kind or in the same way as that received or borne.
They will be repaid in kind for their rudeness.
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in goods, commodities, or services rather than money.
In colonial times, payment was often made in kind.
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kind of, to some extent; somewhat; rather.
The room was kind of dark.
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of a kind, of the same class, nature, character, etc..
They are two of a kind.
noun
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a class or group having characteristics in common; sort; type
two of a kind
what kind of creature?
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an instance or example of a class or group, esp a rudimentary one
heating of a kind
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essential nature or character
the difference is one of kind rather than degree
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archaic gender or sex
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archaic nature; the natural order
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(of payment) in goods or produce rather than in money
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with something of the same sort
to return an insult in kind
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informal
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(adverb) somewhat; rather
kind of tired
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(sentence substitute) used to express reservation or qualified assent
I figured it out. Kind of
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adjective
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having a friendly or generous nature or attitude
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helpful to others or to another
a kind deed
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considerate or humane
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cordial; courteous (esp in the phrase kind regards )
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pleasant; agreeable; mild
a kind climate
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informal beneficial or not harmful
a detergent that is kind to the hands
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archaic loving
Usage
The phrase these (or those ) kind of, followed by a plural noun ( these kind of flowers; those kind of shoes ) is frequently condemned as ungrammatical because it is said to combine a plural demonstrative ( these; those ) with a singular noun, kind. Historically, kind is an unchanged or unmarked plural noun like deer, folk, sheep, and swine, and the construction these kind of is an old one, occurring in the writings of Shakespeare, Swift, Jane Austen, and, in modern times, Jimmy Carter and Winston Churchill. Kind has also developed the plural kinds, evidently because of the feeling that the old pattern was incorrect. These kind of nevertheless persists in use, especially in less formal speech and writing. In edited, more formal prose, this kind of and these kinds of are more common. Sort of has been influenced by the use of kind as an unchanged plural: these sort of books. This construction too is often considered incorrect and appears mainly in less formal speech and writing. Kind (or sort ) of as an adverbial modifier meaning “somewhat” occurs in informal speech and writing: Sales have been kind (or sort ) of slow these last few weeks.
The mixture of plural and singular constructions, although often used informally with kind and sort , should be avoided in serious writing: children enjoy those kinds (not those kind ) of stories; these sorts (not these sort ) of distinctions are becoming blurred
Synonym Usage
Kind, gracious, kindhearted, kindly imply a sympathetic attitude toward others, and a willingness to do good or give pleasure. Kind implies a deep-seated characteristic shown either habitually or on occasion by considerate behavior: a kind father. Gracious often refers to kindness from a superior or older person to a subordinate, an inferior, a child, etc.: a gracious monarch. Kindhearted implies an emotionally sympathetic nature, sometimes easily imposed upon: a kindhearted old woman. Kindly, a mild word, refers usually to general disposition, appearance, manner, etc.: a kindly face.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of kind1
First recorded before 900; Middle English kind(e) “natural, well-disposed,” Old English gecynde “natural;” see origin at genial 1, kind 2
Origin of kind2
First recorded before 900; Middle English kinde, Old English gecynd “nature, race, origin”; cognate with Old Norse kyndi, Old High German kikunt, Latin gēns (genitive gentis ); see kin
Explanation
A helpful and considerate nature can be described as kind. It is kind of someone to volunteer to rake their elderly neighbor's leaves in the fall. As a noun, kind refers to the variety or specific type of something. The adjective kind also describes showing sympathy or giving comfort. If someone's feelings are hurt, a kind word can go a long way to making that person feel better. When kind means "type," you might talk about a kind of cake — chocolate or vanilla — or a kind of person who likes to live alone. If you are kind of interested in something, you are only partially interested in it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That kind of arrangement can breed resentment across the family and does little to build either a shared attachment to the house or close relationships among the cousins who will someday inherit it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
“As much as I love Sean, haven’t really thought of him too much,” Mike LaFleur told Arizona reporters this week, “and I’m sure he’s kind of feeling the same way about me right now.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
“Suddenly the floodgates were kind of opening. It was suddenly not about a silly faithful or traitor, you know?”
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
Paramount provided Salazar with videos and then told Facebook what videos he watched without his consent—the exact kind of injury contemplated by the statute.
From Slate ● Oct. 17, 2026
This kind, human manner—perhaps he had simply found it more effective than brutality in tricking the truth from affection-starved people.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said he had discussed Starlink on Thursday with Macron, and "how we, as Europeans, can provide more of these kinds of services in the not too distant future".
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
Those kinds of things make him into a character when the reality is he has massive access to power.
From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2026
He was open to all kinds of ideas, including a dental-flossing gadget that went nowhere and a successful heart defibrillator.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
You in a Ronnie Dunn costume must have stirred up all kinds of confused feelings in people too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Mama had made her all kinds of hats and aprons and such.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
In a lengthy news conference after the Norway triumph, he said he feels people "could be kinder to each other" after revealing the negativity aimed at him had also affected his family.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
The "Country Roads" appeal lies in the way it conveys "a kinder, simpler era with less conflict and division," said Doug Hartmann, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
So far, insiders say his promised “regime change” has been kinder and gentler than feared—more courtship than chain saw.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
Would I emerge kinder, more resilient—or plagued with unexpected self-consciousness about one of the few areas of my life for which I haven’t felt self-conscious?
From Slate ● May 10, 2026
“Why were you not kinder to her?” cried the Queen.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
She acknowledged he "may have had and developed some behavioural issues" but added: "He turned out to be one of the kindest, honest, most sincere, trustworthy and respectful people I have ever known."
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
"You was the kindest person I knew with a heart of gold. Do anything for anyone. Loved by everyone who met you. I can't describe how much I will miss you."
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
His “Peaky Blinders” co-star Cillian Murphy remembered Neill as “one of the kindest, funniest and gentlest people, and one of the finest actors,” while Nicole Kidman celebrated Neill as “one of the greats.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Inevitable as Funches’ dismissal was, witnessing the quiet camaraderie blossom between him and Rausch was one of the kindest, warmest subplots of an especially ruthless season.
From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026
He was the kindest man I’d ever met to this day, and if I’d had any sense I would’ve snatched him up right away and married him.
From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride
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