Definitions

kind

[kahynd] / kaɪnd /

Part of Speech:

All (3) Adjective (1) Noun (2)

Jump To:

generous, good adj.
class, species n.
type, character n.

ADJECTIVE

generous, good

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affectionate amiable charitable compassionate considerate cordial courteous friendly gentle gracious humane kindhearted kindly loving sympathetic thoughtful tolerant

STRONG

humanitarian understanding

WEAK

all heart altruistic amicable beneficent benevolent benign big bleeding-heart bounteous clement congenial eleemosynary good-hearted heart in right place indulgent lenient mild neighborly obliging philanthropic propitious soft touch softhearted tenderhearted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aloof antagonistic cold cool cruel disagreeable discourteous disliking hard harsh hateful inattentive inconsiderate indifferent inhumane mean merciless nasty rough rude severe thoughtless uncaring uncompassionate unfeeling unfriendly unkind unmindful unsociable unsympathetic violent

WEAK

bad bitter ungenerous

NOUN

class, species

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brand set sort type variety

STRONG

breed classification family genus ilk kin order race

NOUN

type, character

Synonyms

STRONGEST

description lot manner nature number set sort style variety way

STRONG

breed connection denomination designation essence fiber habit ilk likes mold persuasion stamp stripe temperament tendency tribe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for kind?

The word kind is most commonly used in two very different ways: as an adjective meaning benevolent and as a noun meaning type. There are several synonyms for each. benevolent Kind is an adjective describing someone (or their actions) as good and benevolent. The adjectives loving and caring can mean the same thing. Synonyms that imply that a person is generally kind include the related words kindly and kindhearted (and the similar words goodhearted, bighearted, warmhearted, and tenderhearted). The term good-natured is sometimes used in this way. Being kind is often thought of as more than simply being polite or nice. (See more about the difference between kind and nice in the section below.) Words that imply an active form of benevolence include charitable, compassionate, and altruistic. Considerate and thoughtful suggest that a person actively thinks about how to treat others well. The word empathetic is often used in this way. type Kind is also commonly used to mean type, as in What kind/type of car are you shopping for? The words class, category, and sort can be used to mean the same thing. The words brand and breed both have more specific meanings, but can also be used in general contexts (often in a slightly figurative way). This is the sense of kind used in one of a kind.

What is a better word for kind?

Kind is a somewhat general term. Perhaps the best substitute for kind is the word that’s the most specific—the one that best fits what you’re trying to describe. Words like charitable, compassionate, and empathetic are all more specific, each suggesting something slightly different about how someone behaves or treats others. Still, if someone is generally kind, this may be simply the best way to describe them.

How is kind different from nice?

Kind and nice are often used as synonyms. However, it’s possible to be nice but not kind. Kindness is often seen as more active and benevolent. Someone who’s considered nice is polite and friendly. But that doesn’t mean they do good things for people or help others. In other words, kind describes people who are benevolent, helpful, and unselfish, while nice typically describes people who are simply pleasant to be around. Of course, the two often overlap.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

kind kinds kinder kindest

These incidents showed the kind of cybersecurity sloppiness that is common to startups, said Sayash Kapoor, a computer scientist who studies cybersecurity of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

The Elysium Memorial, at the site in Alrewas, Staffordshire, is the first permanent memorial of its kind to be built in the UK.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Stevie Wonder says “September” and its “ba-dee-yas” resonate with every kind of audience because they’re jubilant in a way that transcends language and cultural barriers.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

History isn’t kind to U.S. stocks when commodities run hot.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 13, 2026

Dr. Broca shows how damage to one very small spot in the brain causes one very specific kind of damage.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

Globally, these kinds of blooms are increasingly common as human-caused emissions continue to warm the Earth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

She decided to abort, saying in a 2023 interview: "In my life, I have had many kinds of courage but not the courage to become a mother."

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

One possible reason is that the two cases involved different kinds of evidence.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

“The kinds of events that we have seen recently, I haven’t seen them being mentioned anywhere.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

She wrapped Rowdy’s monkey bites with all kinds of bright-colored rags and tied them in bow knots.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

But she acknowledges that her distinct approach — kinder, gentler, more tearful — is rooted in her particular skill set: “It’s similar to how I responded to being led in kitchens,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

The "Country Roads" appeal lies in the way it conveys "a kinder, simpler era with less conflict and division," said Doug Hartmann, a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota.

From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026

The practice involves less intensive growing methods to be kinder to the environment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

A breakthrough drug for ovarian cancer that is kinder on the body and extends lives is now available on the NHS.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

It wasn’t what I wanted—I know Gaskill would have been kinder.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

That’s just about the kindest thing the congressman has had to say about his would-be successor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

I also struggled over the agonising decision I'd made to put her to sleep, even though I knew it was the kindest thing for her.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

"Who would want to harm Brian? He was the nicest, kindest person you could ever imagine," he said.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Inevitable as Funches’ dismissal was, witnessing the quiet camaraderie blossom between him and Rausch was one of the kindest, warmest subplots of an especially ruthless season.

From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026

Amma says my appa was the kindest man.

From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman

kind

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words