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kin
kin selection
kina
Kinabalu, Mount
kinase
Kincardineshire
kincob
kind (1)
kind (2)
kinda
kindergarten
kindhearted
kindle (1)
kindle (2)
kindling
kindly
kindness
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kind (2)

kind [ kīnd ] (plural kinds)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. group of individuals that share features: a group of individuals or items connected by shared characteristics
What kind of fruit is this?

2. something inferior: an example of something, especially if it is seen as inferior or doubtful
Well, you could say it's a kind of tool, but how would you use it?

3. essence of something: the primary character of something that determines the class to which it belongs

[ Old English cynde< Germanic]

in kind 

1. 
with goods or services, not with money
 

2. 
with something of the same sort that was given
If they attack us, they'll be paid back in kind.


kind of rather, to some extent, or in a way (informal)
She seemed kind of upset when I talked to her.


of a kind 

1. 
like something else in some respects but not enough to be satisfactory
 

2. 
alike, or belonging to the same sort
She's one of a kind, is Sarah.



Word Usage

When kind of is followed by a plural word, there is a temptation to precede the whole phrase with a corresponding plural such as these or those, so that this kind of thing becomes these kind of things. Such expressions (and ones on the same pattern using sort or type) are ungrammatical. These kinds of things or things of this kind is to be preferred.


Word Key: Synonyms

See type.

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