kind1

 
Pronunciation: /kʌɪnd/

noun

  • 1a group of people or things having similar characteristics: all kinds of music more data of this kind would be valuable
  • [mass noun] character or nature: the trials were different in kind from any that preceded them
  • 2each of the elements (bread and wine) of the Eucharist: communion in both kinds

Phrases

in kind

  • 1in the same way; with something similar: if he responded positively, they would respond in kind
  • 2(of payment) in goods or services as opposed to money.

one's (own) kind

people with whom one has a great deal in common: we stick with our own kind

someone's kind

used to express disapproval of a certain type of person: I don’t apologize to her kind ever

kind of

informal rather; to some extent: it got kind of cosy

a kind of

something resembling: teaching based on a kind of inspired guesswork

nothing of the kind

not at all like the thing in question: my son had done nothing of the kind before
used to express an emphatic denial: ‘He made you do that?’ ‘He did nothing of the kind.’

of its kind

within the limitations of its class: this new building was no doubt excellent of its kind

of a kind

used to indicate that something is not as good as it might be expected to be: there is tribute, of a kind, in such popularity

one of a kind

unique.

something of the kind

something like the thing in question: they had always suspected something of the kind

two (or three, four, etc.) of a kind

the same or very similar: she and her sister were two of a kind
(of cards) having the same face value but of a different suit.

Origin:

Old English cynd(e), gecynd(e), of Germanic origin; related to kin. The original sense was 'nature, the natural order', also 'innate character, form, or condition' (compare with kind2); hence 'a class or race distinguished by innate characteristics'

The plural of kind often causes difficulty. With this or that, speaking of one kind, use a singular construction: this kind of question is not relevant; that kind of fabric doesn’t need ironing. With these or those, speaking of more than one kind, use a plural construction: we refuse to buy these kinds of books; I’ve given up those kinds of ideas. The ungrammatical use these kind rather than these kinds (as in these kind of questions are not relevant) has been recorded since the 14th century, and although often encountered today, it should be avoided.