What does "kind" mean?
A type, race or category; a group of entities that have common characteristics such that they may be grouped together.
Kind
/kaɪnd/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A type, race or category; a group of entities that have common characteristics such that they may be grouped together.
- Grammar: kind is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: sort, genre, type, accommodating.
- Useful contrasts: brutal, sharp, abusive language.
- Usage evidence: I can't live that kind of life.
How to use "kind"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "kind" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "kind" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "kind" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "kind" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "kind" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "sort" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "kind", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A type, race or category; a group of entities that have common characteristics such that they may be grouped together.
"What kind of (a) person are you?"
- 2 a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality wordnet
- 3 A makeshift or otherwise atypical specimen.
"The opening served as a kind of window."
- 4 One's inherent nature; character, natural disposition. archaic
"Must yt nedes folowe that theyr fayth was chaunged in kynde, bycause yt was augmented in degrees."
- 5 Family, lineage. archaic
"My young love said to me, My mother won’t mind And my father won’t slight you for your lack of kind."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 Manner. archaic
- 7 Goods or services used as payment, as e.g. in barter.
"in kind"
- 8 Equivalent means used as response to an action.
"in kind"
- 9 Each of the two elements of the communion service, bread and wine.
- 10 The type of a type constructor or a higher-order type operator.
"The kind of any primitive data type is *, corresponding to a nullary constructor."
- 11 Food in a particular category. Caribbean, in-compounds
"Fish kind was what she ate then."
Adjective
- 1 Having a benevolent, courteous, friendly, generous, gentle, liberal, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature or disposition, marked by consideration for – and service to – others.
"Some ſay that Rauens foſter forlorne children, / The vvhilſt their ovvne birds famiſh in their neſts: / Oh be to me though thy hard hart ſay no, / Nothing ſo kinde but ſomething pittifull."
- 2 Affectionate.
"a kind man; a kind heart"
- 3 Favorable.
"Thy words aſſure me of kind ſucceſſe: / Go valiant Souldier, go before and charge / The fainting army of that foolish King."
- 4 Mild, gentle, forgiving
"The years have been kind to Richard Gere; he ages well."
- 5 Gentle; tractable; easily governed.
"a horse kind in harness"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Characteristic of the species; belonging to one's nature; natural; native. obsolete
"it becommeth sweeter than it should be, and loseth the kind tast."
Adjective
- 1 tolerant and forgiving under provocation wordnet
- 2 agreeable, conducive to comfort wordnet
- 3 having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior wordnet
Example
"I can't live that kind of life."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "kind"?
Common synonyms include: sort, genre, type, accommodating, advantageous, affable.
How do you use "kind" in a sentence?
I can't live that kind of life.
How do you pronounce "kind"?
Pronounced /kaɪnd/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English kynde, kinde, from Old English cynd, ġecynd (“inherent nature, disposition, kind, gender, generation, race”), from Proto-West Germanic *kundi, from Proto-Germanic *kinþiz, related to Proto-Germanic *kunją (“race, kin”) and Old English cennan (“to bear, give birth”). Cognate with Old High German gikunt (“nature, kind”), Icelandic kind (“race, species, kind”). Doublet of gens, genesis, and jati. See also kin.
Etymology 2
From Middle English kynde, kinde, from Old English cynde, ġecynde (“innate, natural, native”), from Old English cynd, ġecynd (“nature, kind”).