# Kim

/ˈkɪm/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for both men and women.

For teachers: a unisex given name, often used as a diminutive of Kimberly or Kimball, but also appearing as a standalone name.

- My friend Kim is coming over for dinner tonight.
- Kim was appointed as the lead researcher for the project due to her extensive background in molecular biology.

### 2. family name

noun · CEFR A1

a very common family name, especially in Korea.

For teachers: the most common Korean surname, shared by approximately one-fifth of the South Korean population.

- Mr. Kim is the manager of the local grocery store.
- The Kim family has operated this traditional pottery studio for three generations, maintaining techniques passed down through the centuries.

### 3. seaweed

noun · CEFR B2

a type of dried seaweed used in Korean cooking, often eaten with rice.

For teachers: edible seaweed of the genus Porphyra, typically dried and roasted for use in Korean cuisine.

- She wrapped the rice in a small piece of salty kim.
- The chef garnished the dish with finely shredded kim to add a subtle oceanic saltiness to the presentation.

Usage: Often spelled 'gim' in modern Romanization systems.

## Examples

- Kim is my best friend from school.
- After the meeting, Kim stayed behind to help the team organize the remaining files.
- While Kim is frequently a shortened form of Kimberly in Western contexts, it remains a distinct and historically significant patronymic surname within the Korean peninsula.

---

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.