| English Dictionary |
KIND
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does kind mean?
• KIND (noun)
The noun KIND has 1 sense:
1. a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
Familiarity information: KIND used as a noun is very rare.
• KIND (adjective)
The adjective KIND has 3 senses:
1. having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
2. agreeable, conducive to comfort
3. tolerant and forgiving under provocation
Familiarity information: KIND used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
Context example:
what kinds of desserts are there?
Hypernyms ("kind" is a kind of...):
category (a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "kind"):
description (sort or variety)
type (a subdivision of a particular kind of thing)
antitype (an opposite or contrasting type)
art form ((architecture) a form of artistic expression (such as writing or painting or architecture))
style (a particular kind (as to appearance))
flavor; flavour ((physics) the six kinds of quarks)
color; colour ((physics) the characteristic of quarks that determines their role in the strong interaction)
species (a specific kind of something)
genus (a general kind of something)
brand; make (a recognizable kind)
genre (a kind of literary or artistic work)
manner (a kind)
model (a type of product)
stripe (a kind or category)
like; the like; the likes of (a similar kind)
| Declension: comparative and superlative |
Superlative: kindest
Sense 1
Meaning:
Having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
Context example:
thanked her for her kind letter
Similar:
kind-hearted; kindhearted (having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition)
gentle (having or showing a kindly or tender nature)
benevolent; charitable; good-hearted; kindly; large-hearted; openhearted; sympathetic (showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity)
benign (kindness of disposition or manner)
benignant; gracious (characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects)
Also:
merciful (showing or giving mercy)
soft (compassionate and kind; conciliatory)
good-natured (having an easygoing and cheerful disposition)
considerate (showing concern for the rights and feelings of others)
benign; benignant (pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence)
Attribute:
kindness (the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic)
Antonym:
unkind (lacking kindness)
Derivation:
kindness (a kind act)
kindness (the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Agreeable, conducive to comfort
Synonyms:
genial; kind
Context example:
hot summer pavements are anything but kind to the feet
Similar:
hospitable (favorable to life and growth)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Tolerant and forgiving under provocation
Synonyms:
kind; tolerant
Context example:
our neighbor was very kind about the window our son broke
Similar:
forgiving (inclined or able to forgive and show mercy)
Derivation:
kindness (tendency to be kind and forgiving)
Context examples
Mr. Carruthers was very kind and very musical, and we had most pleasant evenings together.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Mr. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
‘Steady old Jim!’ said she, and with a kind o’ mocking laugh, she ran out of the room.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I remember an early instance of this kind, when Wolf Larsen appeared on the scene just as I had begun to give orders.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
In the morning we come upon the last-night camp of the man who is before us. It is a poor camp, the kind a man makes who is hungry and without strength.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
Your career will bring the kind of exciting news that will make you want to shout it from the rooftops.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
He said, “if I would go with him to his country-house, about twenty miles distant, where his estate lay, there would be more leisure for this kind of conversation.”
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
It is easy to be kind.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
And believe me, friend John, that he is good to come, and kind.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
The other kind included all live things that moved.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Who does not work, is heavy to the earth." (Albanian proverb)
"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." (Arabic proverb)
"A disaster never comes alone." (Croatian proverb)