Meaning & use
kind
Last updated
Meanings
adjectiveafter a verb
Friendly, generous, and considerate in the way you treat other people.
Grammar: Follows a verb with to for the person affected: she is kind to animals; use kind of + person + to do for actions.
Patterns
- kind to someone
- kind of someone to do something
- it is kind of someone
The nurses were kind to the frightened child.
It was kind of you to visit my grandmother in hospital.
He gave a kind smile to the nervous new student.
nouncountable
A group of people or things that share similar features; a type or sort.
Grammar: Countable with plural kinds; very frequent with of: what kind of music.
Patterns
- a kind of something
- different kinds of
- what kind of
What kind of music do you listen to?
We grow several kinds of tomatoes in the garden.
She is the kind of teacher students remember for years.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used to soften a statement, meaning 'somewhat' or 'in a way'; also used before verbs like like or want.
Grammar: Fixed informal phrase kind of, usually unstressed in speech; British English also uses sort of.
Patterns
- kind of tired
- kind of like something
- kind of want to do something
It's kind of cold in here; can we close the window?
The answer kind of makes sense, but not completely.
I kind of want to try the new cafe down the street.
Word forms
| comparative | kinder |
|---|---|
| superlative | kindest |
Common combinations
- kind to animals
- The shelter looks for families who are kind to animals.
- a kind gesture
- Paying for her coffee was a small but kind gesture.
- different kinds of
- The shop sells different kinds of cheese.
- kind of like
- The cake tastes kind of like gingerbread.
Synonyms and how they differ
- caring
- Highlights showing concern for others' feelings; kind is broader and includes simple politeness.
- considerate
- Means thinking about other people's needs; it is about tact rather than warmth, which kind includes.
- nice
- Very general and weaker; kind suggests genuine generosity rather than just being pleasant.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: kind or kindly? kind or sort of?
kind vs kindly
Kindly as an adjective means pleasant and gentle; kind describes generous behavior, while kindly as an adverb means 'in a kind way'.
kind vs sort of
Sort of and kind of have the same informal 'somewhat' meaning; sort of is more common in British English.
Practice
It was very ___ of Maria to drive me to the airport at four in the morning.
Choose one answer.
The pattern 'it is kind of someone to do something' needs the adjective kind. Kindly is mainly an adverb, kindness is a noun, and kinds is a plural noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kind”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.