# akin

/ˈeɪkɪn/ (US) · /ɐkˈɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/akin
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. similar in quality

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

similar to something else or having a similar feeling.

For teachers: essentially similar or related in character; sharing common properties or nature.

- The two languages are closely akin to each other in their grammar.
- The senator's views on economic reform are closely akin to those of the previous administration, suggesting a continuity of policy.

Usage: Usually follows the verb and is followed by the preposition 'to'.

Teaching tip: While dictionaries may list this as archaic, it remains common in formal writing and academic contexts to describe conceptual similarities.

### 2. related by blood

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

related to someone by family or blood.

For teachers: related by blood or belonging to the same family line.

- They were akin to the royal family through a distant cousin.
- Genealogical research confirmed that the two families were akin, having descended from the same ancestor in the seventeenth century.

Usage: Predicative use only; it does not usually sit before the noun.

Teaching tip: In modern English, 'related' is almost always preferred for family ties; 'akin' is reserved for a more poetic or old-fashioned tone.

## Examples

- The two languages are closely akin to each other.
- His political views are akin to those of the local green party, though he is not a member.
- The feeling of standing on the edge of the canyon was akin to a religious experience, leaving the hikers in a state of profound and silent awe.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.