kissing cousin

noun

1. kissing kin

2. something closely related or very similar.

   a textile that is a kissing cousin to nylon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kissing cousin¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

He’s now returned with a weirder, more diaphanous book, this time viewing surfing as the kissing cousin of, and potential solution to, substance addiction.

From New York Times

I saw this letter he wrote to Golda Meir where he called her his kissing cousin....I mean, you have to be suspicious when somebody like him steps forward.

From Literature

Stromboli, kissing cousin to the calzone, is an Italian wrap, a delicious pastry filled with goodies.

From Salon

No child of hers was going to forget her family name and think she was nothing but a kissing cousin to an orangutan.

From Literature

Big time family time, a whole island of family, here a cousin, there a cousin, everywhere we turned a kissing cousin was puckering up at us.

From Literature

Related Words

• accomplice 
• ally 
• assistant 
• buddy 
• co-worker 
• cohort 
• collaborator 
• companion 
• comrade 
• crony 
• fellow 
• friend 
• partner