kind
A1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
A group with shared characteristics, or the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Can refer to type, sort, or variety (e.g., 'a kind of fruit'). As an adjective, describes gentle and benevolent nature. Can be used in expressions like 'in kind' (with something similar), 'pay in kind', or 'kind of' (somewhat).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun sense ('type') is neutral. The adjective sense ('friendly') is evaluative and positive. The phrase 'kind of' (meaning 'somewhat') is informal, often contracted to 'kinda' in speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in the informal use of 'kind of'. 'A kind of a...' is more common in AmE, while 'a kind of...' (without the second article) is standard in BrE. 'Kindly' as an adverb ('kindly refrain') is more formal and slightly more common in BrE.
Connotations
Connotations are identical across dialects. The adjective carries a strong positive social value.
Frequency
Both noun and adjective are extremely high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] kind to someone[It is] kind of someone to do somethingsomeone of a kindall kinds of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A kind of...”
- “In kind (reply/ payment)”
- “One of a kind”
- “Nothing of the kind”
- “Two of a kind”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Kind regards' as a standard email closing. 'Payment in kind' meaning non-monetary compensation.
Academic
Used to classify: '...is a kind of metaphor.' Or in biology: 'the feline kind.'
Everyday
Describing people: 'She's so kind.' Describing things: 'What kind of music do you like?'
Technical
In taxonomy (a more formal term for 'species' or 'genus'). In philosophy ('natural kinds').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic/obsolete) 'It kinded a hope in her heart.'
American English
- (Archaic/obsolete) 'He kinded the fire with dry leaves.'
adverb
British English
- (Informal) 'I'm kind of tired.'
- (Formal, rare) 'Kindly leave the premises.'
American English
- (Informal) 'It's kind of weird, isn't it?'
- He looked at her kind of funny.
adjective
British English
- It was very kind of you to help.
- He has a kind face.
American English
- Would you be kind enough to pass the salt?
- She's one of the kindest people I know.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is a kind woman.
- What kind of food do you like?
- He spoke in a kind voice.
- There are all kinds of books in this library.
- It wasn't kind of him to ignore her.
- They thanked her for her kind words.
- The payment was made in kind with fresh produce.
- He's the kind of person who always volunteers.
- She responded with a kindness that disarmed her critics.
- The philosopher debated the existence of 'natural kinds'.
- His critique, though sharp, was not unkind.
- The agreement stipulated a remuneration partly in cash and partly in kind.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
KIND people keep in mind the needs of others.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD IS UP / KIND ('She's a high-minded person'), CATEGORIES ARE CONTAINERS ('Fall into that kind').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'kind of' (somewhat) as 'вид' or 'род'. It's an adverbial phrase, e.g., 'It's kind of cold' = 'Немного холодно'.
- Do not confuse 'kind' (adj) with 'киндер' (child).
- The noun 'kind' (type) is singular. 'All kinds of people' is correct, not 'all kind of people'.
- 'Be kind to...' translates as 'быть добрым к...', not 'для'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'What kind of a car do you have?' (BrE, though acceptable in AmE). Correct: 'What kind of car do you have?'
- Incorrect: 'She is kind with animals.' Correct: 'She is kind to animals.'
- Incorrect: 'It's a kind a big problem.' (Colloquial speech). Correct written form: 'It's kind of a big problem.'
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'payment in kind', what does 'in kind' most likely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Kinda' is an informal, spoken contraction of 'kind of'. It is not standard in formal writing but is widely used in informal contexts and dialogue.
They are often interchangeable. 'Kind' can feel slightly more general or subjective ('my kind of music'), while 'type' can feel more technical or precise ('blood type'). 'Sort' is more informal than both.
The structure is 'It is/was kind of [person] to [do something].' Example: 'It was kind of Sarah to call.' This thanks the person for a specific action.
Yes. Example: 'He showed a kind kindness.' (Though this is stylistic and somewhat poetic). A more natural example: 'She's the kind of person whose kindness knows no bounds.'
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