kind

1.adjectiveA2

Definition

describes a person who shows care for others by being helpful, generous, and gentle about their feelings.

Example

It was kind of Mateo to drive Anjali to the airport early in the morning.

pattern: it was kind of + person + to-infinitive

The old woman smiled at the children with a kind expression.

collocation: kind expression / kind smile

Common collocations

kind to someone
kind of someone (to do)
kind enough to
kind words
kind gesture
kind heart
kind smile
kind expression

Synonyms

nice
more general and slightly weaker; can describe both people and things
caring
focuses on emotional concern for others rather than helpful actions
thoughtful
emphasizes noticing and responding to someone's specific needs
gentle
focuses on softness and avoiding hurt, overlaps with sense 2

Antonyms

unkind
direct opposite
cruel
stronger, suggests deliberate desire to cause pain
mean
informal, emphasizes small hurtful actions

Grammar Patterns

be kind to someone

it is kind of someone to do something

kind + noun

Usage Note

You can use the structure 'It is kind of someone to do something' to express appreciation for an action — for example, 'It was kind of you to call.'

Common Mistakes

She was kind about helping me.

She was kind enough to help me.

'kind about' is not natural; use 'kind enough to' or 'kind of someone to.'

He is a kind.

He is a kind person.

'kind' as an adjective needs a noun or linking verb; do not use it alone as a noun in this sense.

2.adjectiveB1

Definition

describes something that is mild and gentle, so it does not hurt, damage, or upset people, animals, or the environment.

Example

Use a kind shampoo that will not dry out your hair.

adjective before noun: kind + product noun

This cleaning spray is kind to the environment because it contains no harmful chemicals.

collocation: kind to the environment

Common collocations

kind to the skin/hair/environment
kind method/way
kinder alternative
gentle and kind

Synonyms

gentle
more common for describing physical softness; 'gentle soap' is more natural than 'kind soap'
mild
common for products that are not strong or harsh, like 'mild shampoo'
soft
usually describes texture or touch, not product effects

Antonyms

harsh
describes products or treatments that damage or irritate
harmful
stronger, suggests clear potential to cause damage

Grammar Patterns

be kind to something/someone

kind + noun

more kind / kinder + noun

Usage Note

This sense is common in advertising and product descriptions, especially for cosmetics, cleaning products, and treatments claiming to be gentle. The preposition 'to' is used to show what is protected — 'kind to your hair,' 'kind to the planet.'

Common Mistakes

This soap is kind with sensitive skin.

This soap is kind to sensitive skin.

use 'kind to,' not 'kind with.'

1.nounA2

Definition

a set of people, creatures, or objects connected by common characteristics; a type or sort.

Example

What kind of music does Adina listen to when she studies?

question pattern: What kind of...?

This kind of argument never leads to a good solution.

demonstrative pattern: This kind of...

Common collocations

kind of
this kind
that kind
all kinds of
different kinds of
various kinds of
what kind of
the same kind of
every kind of

Synonyms

sort
very similar and usually interchangeable, especially in British English
type
slightly more formal; common in written and technical contexts
variety
focuses on different forms within a category, often followed by 'of'
category
more formal and systematic, used for organized classification

Grammar Patterns

kind of + noun

this/that kind of + noun

all kinds of + noun

what kind of + noun

Usage Note

In informal spoken English, 'these kind of things' is common but many teachers consider it incorrect. The standard form is 'this kind of thing' (singular) or 'these kinds of things' (plural).

Common Mistakes

I like these kind of movies.

I like this kind of movie.' or 'I like these kinds of movies.

match the determiner ('these/those') with the plural noun 'kinds.'

Idioms

kind of

idiom

somewhat or to some extent; used to make a statement softer or less exact.

I am kind of tired after the long walk, but I will still come to dinner.

Élise was kind of hoping that Piotr would call him back.

in kind

idiom

with the same thing or in a similar way, especially when responding to an action or behaviour.

When her opponent attacked her in the debate, Constanza responded in kind with strong arguments.

one of a kind

idiom

unique; unlike anyone or anything else.

Minh's hand-painted scarf is truly one of a kind — nobody else has one like it.

nothing of the kind

idiom

used to strongly deny what someone has said or suggested.

I never said that I was leaving! I said nothing of the kind.

two of a kind

idiom

two people or things that are very similar to each other, especially in character or interests.

Femi and his cousin Talia are two of a kind — they both love hiking and camping.

a kind of

idiom

Used to describe something in a way that is not completely accurate or definite.

Mia had a kind of strange feeling about the old house.

Is that a kind of new dance you're doing?

nothing of the kind/sort

idiom

Used to strongly deny that something is true or that a situation is as described.

When accused of lying, Tom said he did nothing of the kind.

You think I broke the vase? I did nothing of the sort!

of a kind

idiom

Used to describe something that is not very good or not as good as it could be.

The old computer still works, but only of a kind.

She offered help of a kind, but it wasn't very useful.

something of the/that kind

idiom

Used to refer to something similar to what has just been mentioned.

He said he would call, and I expected something of the kind.

Are you planning a party or something of that kind?

Word family

kindly
adverbB1
kindness
nounB1
unkind
adjectiveB1
unkindly
adverbB2
unkindness
nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe a positive attitude towards others, but they differ in focus and strength. 'Kind' is the most well-rounded term, combining helpful actions with emotional warmth — a kind person both does good things and genuinely cares. 'Nice' is weaker and more general; anyone can be nice for a moment without deep concern. 'Caring' emphasizes emotional investment: you care about someone's problems or well-being, even if you cannot help them directly. 'Thoughtful' means you notice what someone needs and act on it — remembering a friend's birthday or bringing soup when they are sick. 'Gentle' overlaps with kind but focuses on softness and avoiding hurt, whether physical or emotional. For example, you could say 'It was kind of you to visit me in hospital' (general warmth and help), 'It was thoughtful of you to bring my favourite book' (specific need noticed), or 'The nurse was very gentle when changing the bandage' (softness to avoid pain).

kind ↗nice ↗caring ↗thoughtful ↗gentle ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

very kind
extremely kind
really kind
genuinely kind
incredibly kind

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'kind' comes from Old English 'cynd', meaning 'nature, race, or family' — that is the origin of the noun sense (a group with shared qualities). The adjective sense developed later from the idea that someone with a 'good nature' would treat others gently and with care. 'Kind' is related to 'kin' (family) and shares a root with the German word 'Kind' (child), all going back to an ancient root meaning 'to give birth' or 'produce.'

Entries near

Previous entries

Next entries

kind

kind — adjective

1. describes a person who shows care for others by being helpful, generous, and gen

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. describes something that is mild and gentle, so it does not hurt, damage, or ups

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

kind — noun

1. a set of people, creatures, or objects connected by common characteristics; a ty

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Adverbs

Etymology

Entries near

Entries near