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Glite Dictionary
kind of

kind of

∞ 1.6
To a small or medium degree
  • idiom
  • /kaɪnd əv/
  • Informal
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  • The movie was kind of boring, but the acting was good.

But this feels kind of tainted now, doesn't it?

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Examples

  • I was kind of surprised by the sudden change in plans.

  • It's kind of hard to explain my feelings about the situation.

  • By the way, we're kind of there now, almost.

  • But it's kind of nice to see them.

  • But it is kind of good news, right?

  • Do they do this kind of thing a lot?

    Harmony (2022)

  • Well, it's kind of up to us, right?

    Babes (2024)

  • Then we'll see what kind of driver you really are.

    Moonshine County Express (1977)

  • A screen appears that asks what kind of instrument you would like.

    Academic text (2011)

  • She'd never run for office in high school and had avoided any kind of public speaking.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

a little
vskind of
∞ 1.0

A small amount, not very much

is used for moderate or slight degree overall, not only small amounts
sort of
vskind of
  • Informal
∞ 2.1

To some degree but not completely

is the neutral phrase for moderate or slight degree, not only vagueness
a bit
vskind of
∞ 1.0

To a small degree or amount

is the broader neutral form that can also mean moderate degree
rather
vskind of
∞ 1.0

A little more than a bit but not very much

denotes moderate or slight degree, usually less strong or emphatic
pretty much
vskind of
  • Informal
∞ 3.0

Almost completely but not quite

signals moderate or slight degree, not near completeness
fairly
vskind of
895 1.0

To some degree but not very much

covers moderate or slight degree generally, not stressing balance
slightly
vskind of
885 1.0

A little, not very much

covers both small and moderate degree, not only mild amounts
somewhat
vskind of
816 2.0

To a small degree

matches this moderate or slight meaning but is slightly more common
kinda
vskind of
  • Informal
540 8.5

To a small degree

is the neutral expression for moderate or slight degree rather than casual speech
partly
vskind of
375 1.0

To some extent but not completely

focuses on degree rather than on being incomplete or not whole
even a little
vskind of
63 1.3

In any way, even the smallest amount

allows for a moderate or slight degree rather than insisting on slightest extent
a trifle
vskind of
16 4.1

A little in amount or degree

indicates moderate or slight degree more generally, not particularly tiny
sorta kinda
vskind of
  • Slang
1 9.3

Shows that you are a little unsure or not fully certain

is the standard form conveying moderate or slight degree without slang

Antonyms

completely
∞ 1.0

Totally, in every way

not at all
331 1.0

In no way

How Strong

quite
∞ 1.0
rather
∞ 1.0
somewhat
816 2.0
kind of
  • Informal
∞ 1.6
a little
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

kind of positive

Morphology

kind + of

The hedging/degree meaning 'somewhat' is only partially related to the literal constituents: 'kind' (type/sort) + 'of' can suggest approximation (a sort of), but the grammaticalized adverbial use as a general degree modifier is not fully compositional. Cross-linguistically there are similar devices (e.g. 'sort of'/'kinda'), so a B1 learner might sometimes infer the sense but would often need exposure to use it reliably.

Etymology

The phrase kind of may come from the older phrase 'a kind of', where kind meant 'type' and people used it when something was only a little like something else. So today kind of is a soft way to say 'somewhat' or 'to some extent'.