What is another word for kind?
The word
kind is most commonly used in two very different ways: as an adjective meaning
benevolent and as a noun meaning
type. There are several synonyms for each.
benevolent Kind is an adjective describing someone (or their actions) as
good and
benevolent. The adjectives
loving and
caring can mean the same thing. Synonyms that imply that a person is generally
kind include the related words
kindly and
kindhearted (and the similar words
goodhearted,
bighearted,
warmhearted, and
tenderhearted). The term
good-natured is sometimes used in this way. Being
kind is often thought of as more than simply being
polite or
nice. (See more about the difference between
kind and
nice in the section below.) Words that imply an active form of benevolence include
charitable,
compassionate, and
altruistic.
Considerate and
thoughtful suggest that a person actively thinks about how to treat others well. The word
empathetic is often used in this way.
type Kind is also commonly used to mean
type, as in
What kind/type of car are you shopping for? The words
class,
category, and
sort can be used to mean the same thing. The words
brand and
breed both have more specific meanings, but can also be used in general contexts (often in a slightly figurative way). This is the sense of
kind used in
one of a kind.
What is a better word for kind?
Kind is a somewhat general term. Perhaps the best substitute for kind is the word that’s the most specific—the one that best fits what you’re trying to describe. Words like charitable, compassionate, and empathetic are all more specific, each suggesting something slightly different about how someone behaves or treats others. Still, if someone is generally kind, this may be simply the best way to describe them.
How is kind different from nice?
Kind and nice are often used as synonyms. However, it’s possible to be nice but not kind. Kindness is often seen as more active and benevolent. Someone who’s considered nice is polite and friendly. But that doesn’t mean they do good things for people or help others. In other words, kind describes people who are benevolent, helpful, and unselfish, while nice typically describes people who are simply pleasant to be around. Of course, the two often overlap.
