# kin

/ˈkɪn/ (US) · /kˈɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kin
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. family and relatives

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

your family and the people you are related to by blood.

For teachers: one's family or relations collectively; often used in legal or formal contexts regarding inheritance or notification.

- The hospital staff asked for the name of her next of kin in case of an emergency.
- Under the current inheritance laws, the estate passes directly to the deceased's nearest kin if no valid will is found.

### 2. a character you identify with

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a fictional character or person that you feel is exactly like you.

For teachers: a character or persona with whom an individual identifies deeply or spiritually, often within online fandom communities.

- That grumpy cat in the cartoon is definitely my kin.
- In many online spaces, users list their kins in their profiles to help others understand their personality and aesthetic preferences.

### 3. to identify with a character

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to feel a very strong connection to a character or to feel that you are like them.

For teachers: to identify strongly with a fictional character or real person, often to the point of seeing them as a reflection of one's own identity.

- I kin the main character of this book because we both love quiet libraries.
- The trend of kinning characters has become a significant way for younger audiences to explore their own identities through media.

### 4. related or similar

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

related to someone or very similar to something else.

For teachers: related by blood or having a similar nature or character; often used in the phrase 'kin to'.

- The two languages are kin to each other and share many of the same words.
- His artistic style was kin to the Impressionists, though he worked nearly a century after the movement had peaked.

## Examples

- She invited all her kin to the wedding.
- When the traveler fell ill in a foreign land, the hospital staff worked tirelessly to locate his next of kin.
- The ancient laws of the clan dictated that any insult to an individual was an insult to their entire kin, often leading to long-standing feuds between families.

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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.