kindred

American  

[kin-drid] / ˈkɪn drɪd /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a person's relatives collectively; kinfolk; kin.

2. a group of persons related to another; family, tribe, or clan.

3. relationship by birth or descent, or sometimes by marriage; kinship.

4. resemblance or connection; affinity.

   spiritual kindred.

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adjective

1. associated by origin, nature, qualities, etc..

   kindred languages.

2. having the same belief, attitude, or feeling.

   We are kindred spirits on the issue of gun control.

3. related by birth or descent; having kinship.

   kindred tribes.

4. belonging to kin or relatives.

   kindred blood.

kindred British  

/ ˈkɪndrɪd /

adjective

1. having similar or common qualities, origin, etc

2. related by blood or marriage

3. a person with whom one has something in common

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noun

1. relationship by blood

2. similarity in character

3. a person's relatives collectively

Other Word Forms

• kindredless adjective
• kindredness noun
• kindredship noun

Etymology

Origin of kindred

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, variant (with epenthetic d ) of kinrede; kin, -red

Example Sentences

O’Keeffe and Stieglitz both found a kindred spirit in Lawrence’s intense passion for nature and its spiritual dimensions, pantheistic in its fervor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Leonardo da Vinci would have recognized a kindred spirit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

Founding Father Alexander Hamilton met a kindred spirit in Caracas-born Francisco de Miranda, who fought for both the American and French revolutionary causes.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

We are kindred spirits and it makes sense that Westside Gunn and “Mama’s Gun” become Mama’s Westside Gunn for L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2025

They sit over their drinks smiling like children and they relish being surrounded by kindred spirits, if only for an evening.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern