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.

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.

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.