kind
/kaɪnd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Kind people are nice, caring, and willing to help others. They show concern and treat people gently.
- She was kind to the new student.
- It was kind of you to call.
- He gave me a kind smile.
noun
A kind is a group or type of something. It is often used in phrases like 'this kind of' or 'all kinds of'.
- What kind of music do you like?
- We sell all kinds of bread.
- This kind of problem is common.
Adinary Nuance
Kind is warmer and more personal than polite. It focuses on real care, not just good manners. Compared with nice, kind suggests a stronger wish to help or comfort someone.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tử tế
- Spanish
- amable
- Chinese
- 善良
- Japanese
- 親切
- Korean
- 친절한
Etymology
Old English had the word cynd, meaning 'nature' or 'family'. Over time, the adjective sense developed from the idea of being naturally good or friendly.
Common phrases
kind ofall kinds ofkind wordsa kind person
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is kind the same as nice?
- Not exactly. Kind usually means caring and helpful. Nice is broader and can mean pleasant or friendly.
- Can I say 'kind to' someone?
- Yes. We say 'kind to' when someone treats another person gently or helpfully.
- Is kind formal or informal?
- It is common in both spoken and written English. It is safe to use in school, work, and everyday conversation.
- What does 'kind of' mean?
- It can mean 'type of'. In speech, it can also mean 'somewhat' or 'a little'.