in kind
In a reciprocal manner; in a similar way; in the same kind.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He was rude, so she replied in kind.”
“If you smile at her, she usually smiles back in kind.”
“They shout at us, and we always shout back in kind.”
“When the competitor lowered their prices, our company decided to respond in kind to keep our customers.”
“After the neighbors helped us move our heavy furniture, we decided to thank them in kind by helping them paint their new fence.”
“The charity prefers cash donations, but they also accept gifts in kind like warm blankets and canned food for the winter.”
“The neighboring nation viewed the military buildup as a direct provocation and felt compelled to respond in kind by increasing its own defensive capabilities.”
The phrase enters English as a calque of the Latin *in specie*, denoting a transaction conducted using the actual goods or services in question rather than a substitute medium such as currency. The Latin *in specie* translates literally as "in appearance" or "in form," providing the basis for the English equivalent.
- 01
be cruel to be kind
To act cruelly in order to achieve a positive outcome in the future.
- 02
it takes all kinds to make a world
Diversity is essential: the world would be incomplete if everyone were alike; an expression of surprise at a person or people's eccentricity.
- 03
kind of
Slightly; somewhat; sort of.
- 04
kind regards
Used as a polite closing of a letter.
- 05
kindest regards
Used as a polite closing of a letter
Last updated August 10, 2026