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

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

The story of how he met his wife was its own kind of kindred moment, an encounter that would unknowingly carve out his path as an artist.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

The investor found kindred spirits at a bitcoin-focused data-center developer, now called IREN, and joined its board.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

Vincent finds her a great confidant and kindred spirit.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman