What does kindred mean?
Kindred means related, either through family or through a strong similarity in character, interests, or experience. Its adjective use is especially common in the expression “kindred spirit,” meaning a person whose outlook or abilities closely resemble one's own: readers may discover kindred spirits in a shared enthusiasm for literature, music, or scientific work. The word can also connect unrelated things by shared qualities, as in “kindred themes” or “a kindred concern.” In older and more literary usage, kindred is a noun referring collectively to a person's relatives or family group. The expression “one's kindred” can therefore mean “one's family” or, more broadly, those regarded as one's close companions or fellow countrymen. The word carries a warmer, more suggestive tone than simply “similar,” often implying an affinity that feels natural or deeply felt.
Related by family, or similar in nature, character, interests, or experience.
"The two organizations share a kindred commitment to protecting the environment."
Common in standard British and American English; “a kindred spirit” is especially idiomatic.
People related to one another, especially one's relatives or family collectively.
"The whole kindred gathered at the old family home."
This sense is literary, archaic, or formal; “one's kindred” is the usual expression.
The plural is rare; in normal literary use, the noun is usually collective and appears in the singular form, especially in “one's kindred.”
"The two kindreds maintained close ties despite living on different continents."
Kindred originally described people of the same family; today its most memorable use is the affectionate phrase “kindred spirit.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kindred come from?
Kindred developed in Middle English from Old English cynn, meaning “family, kin,” together with a second element related to the Old English word for “condition” or “nature.” The modern form appeared in the Middle English period with the sense “related by birth or nature.” Its relatives include kinship, kinsman, and kinsfolk, all of which continue the ancient family root represented by kin.
How kindred is actually used
The adjective is standard in both British and American English. The noun sense is literary, archaic, or formal and is now encountered chiefly in expressions such as “one's kindred.”
Easily confused with kindred
In its most common modern sense, kind means considerate, generous, or benevolent, whereas kindred means related by family or similar in character.