kind

A group of people or things that share particular features.

• What kind of music do you like?
• This shop sells several kinds of bread.
• We both bought the same kind of phone.

How to use it: a kind of something (A pear is a kind of fruit.)

Similar words: type, sort, variety

Common phrases: kind of food, different kind

Something that partly resembles another thing or serves a similar purpose.

• The box became a kind of chair.
• She built a kind of shelter from branches.
• His speech was a kind of apology.

How to use it: a kind of something (The fallen tree formed a kind of bridge.)

Common phrases: a kind of, kind of shelter

Goods or services given as payment instead of money.

• They paid us in kind.
• The charity accepts donations in kind.
• Part of her wages came in kind, including food and housing.

How to use it: in kind (Some farmers pay their rent in kind.)

Common phrases: in kind, payment in kind

Caring about other people and doing things that help them.

• You are very kind.
• A kind stranger helped me find the station.
• It was kind of her to bring us dinner.

How to use it: be kind to someone (Please be kind to your little brother.); it is kind of someone to do something (It was kind of you to help.)

Similar words: helpful, thoughtful, considerate

Opposites: unkind, cruel

Common phrases: kind to someone, kind of someone

Showing warmth and love toward someone.

• She has a kind heart.
• He gave the child a kind smile.
• I remembered her kind eyes and warm voice.

Similar words: warm, loving, affectionate

Opposites: cold

Common phrases: kind heart, kind smile

Gentle or forgiving, causing little harm or difficulty.

• The years have been kind to her.
• This soap is kind to your skin.
• The judge was kind to the young offender.

How to use it: be kind to someone/something (The weather has been kind to our garden.)

Similar words: gentle, merciful, lenient

Opposites: harsh

Common phrases: kind to someone, kind to skin