kind

Kind is a versatile English word with several related senses. As an adjective, it most often denotes benevolence or helpfulness: a kind person, kind to others, or a kind gesture. It can also describe a natural or congenial temperament, such as “the kind of person who cares for others.” In addition, “kind” can be used to mean “of a particular type” when describing things: a kind of fruit or this kind of car.

As a noun, “kind” refers to a category or type within a broader system: “What kind of car is this?” The plural “kinds” denotes multiple categories. The phrase “of its kind” means belonging to the same category, while “in kind” or “paying in kind” refers to exchanges or payments in goods rather than money. In historical contexts, “kind” has been used to denote a natural or social set, and in biblical or theological language it sometimes meant “species” or “sort” of beings; in modern science, taxonomy uses specific ranks such as species or genus rather than “kind.”

Usage notes: the adjective sense can be intensified by modifiers such as “truly kind” or “kindly.” The informal expression “kind of” functions as a hedging intensifier meaning “somewhat” or “to some extent,” which can add vagueness in formal writing. The related noun “kindness” names the quality itself.