Meaning & use
kindred souls
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Meaning
nounpluralliteraryformal
People who share the same interests, beliefs, or feelings and understand each other well.
Grammar: Always used in the plural; the singular 'kindred soul' is rare but possible.
Patterns
- kindred souls
- a kindred soul
They met at a poetry reading and instantly recognized each other as kindred souls.
In a foreign city, he found kindred souls who loved the same music.
The two writers were kindred souls, sharing a passion for nature.
Common combinations
- find kindred souls
- She traveled the world looking for kindred souls.
- kindred souls in something
- They are kindred souls in their love of art.
- true kindred souls
- The couple were true kindred souls.
Synonyms and how they differ
- soulmates
- Often implies a romantic or very close personal relationship; 'kindred souls' is broader and can refer to friends or like-minded people.
- kindred spirits
- Very similar in meaning and often interchangeable, but 'kindred spirits' is more common in modern English.
Opposites
Word family
- kindred adjective
- Means similar in character or nature, as in 'kindred tastes'.
Commonly confused: kindred souls or kin?
kindred souls vs kin
Refers to family relations, not to people with similar interests.
Practice
What does 'kindred souls' mean?
Choose one answer.
'Kindred souls' describes people with a deep, often spiritual connection based on shared feelings or interests. It does not refer to family ties or mere proximity.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kindred souls”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.