kind of

kind ¹  (knd)

adj. kind·er, kind·est

1. Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature.

2. Showing sympathy or understanding; charitable: a kind word.

3. Humane; considerate: kind to animals.

4. Forbearing; tolerant: Our neighbor was very kind about the window we broke.

5. Generous; liberal: kind words of praise.

6. Agreeable; beneficial: a dry climate kind to asthmatics.

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[Middle English, natural, kind, from Old English gecynde, natural; see gen- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: kind¹, kindly, kindhearted, benign, benevolent
These adjectives mean having or showing a tender, considerate, and helping nature. Kind and kindly are the least specific: thanked her for her kind letter; a kindly gentleman.
Kindhearted especially suggests an innately kind disposition: a kindhearted teacher.
Benign implies gentleness and mildness: benign intentions; a benign sovereign.
Benevolent suggests charitableness and a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others: a benevolent contributor.

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kind ²  (knd)

n.

1.

a. A group of individuals or instances sharing common traits; a category or sort: different kinds of furniture; a new kind of politics.

b. A doubtful or borderline member of a given category: fashioned a kind of shelter; a kind of bluish color.

2. Archaic

a. Underlying character as a determinant of the class to which a thing belongs; nature or essence.

b. The natural order or course of things; nature.

c. Manner or fashion.

Idioms:

all kinds of Informal

Plenty of; ample: We have all kinds of time to finish the job.

in kind

1. With produce or commodities rather than with money: pay in kind.

2. In the same manner or with an equivalent: returned the slight in kind.

kind of Informal

Rather; somewhat: I'm kind of hungry.

of a kind

Of the same kind; alike: My father and my uncle are two of a kind.

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[Middle English, from Old English gecynd, race, offspring, kind; see gen- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

kind of - to some (great or small) extent; "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy" kinda, sort of, rather