9 PHRASE If you pay a debt in kind , you pay it in the form of goods or services and not money. □ …benefits in kind.
➋ kind /ka I nd/ (kinder , kindest )
1 ADJ Someone who is kind behaves in a gentle, caring, and helpful way towards other people. □ [+ to ] I must thank you for being so kind to me. □ [+ of ] It was very kind of you to come. ● kind|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'You seem tired this morning, Jenny,' she said kindly.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] You can use kind in expressions such as please be so kind as to and would you be kind enough to in order to ask someone to do something in a firm but polite way. [POLITENESS ] □ I wonder if you'd be kind enough to call him.
3 → see also kindly , kindness
kinda /ka I ndə/ Kinda is used in written English to represent the words 'kind of' when they are pronounced informally. □ I'd kinda like to have a sheep farm in New Mexico.
kin|der|gar|ten /k I ndə r gɑː r t ə n/ (kindergartens ) N‑COUNT [oft in/to/at N ] A kindergarten is an informal kind of school for very young children, where they learn things by playing. □ She's in kindergarten now.
ki nd-hea rted ADJ If you describe someone as kind-hearted , you mean that they are kind, caring, and generous. □ He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
kin|dle /k I nd ə l/ (kindles , kindling , kindled )
1 VERB If something kindles a particular emotion in someone, it makes them start to feel it. □ [V n] The second world war kindled his enthusiasm for politics.
2 VERB If you kindle a fire, you light paper or wood in order to start it. □ [V n] I came in and kindled a fire in the stove.
kin|dling /k I ndl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Kindling is small pieces of dry wood and other materials that you use to start a fire.
kind|ly /ka I ndli/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A kindly person is kind, caring, and sympathetic. □ He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
2 ADV [ADV before v] If someone kindly does something for you, they act in a thoughtful and helpful way. □ He kindly carried our picnic in a rucksack.
3 ADV [ADV before v] If someone asks you to kindly do something, they are asking you in a way which shows that they have authority over you, or that they are angry with you. [FORMAL ] □ Will you kindly obey the instructions I am about to give?
4 → see also kind ➊
5 PHRASE If you look kindly on or look kindly upon someone or something, you support them or approve of what they are doing. □ Recent historical work looks kindly on the regime.
6 PHRASE If someone does not take kindly to something, they do not like it. □ She did not take kindly to being offered advice.
kind|ness /ka I ndnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Kindness is the quality of being gentle, caring, and helpful. □ We have been treated with such kindness by everybody.
kin|dred /k I ndr I d/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] Your kindred are your family, and all the people who are related to you. [DIALECT or OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Kindred things are similar to each other. [FORMAL ] □ I recall many discussions with her on these and kindred topics.
ki n|dred spir|it (kindred spirits ) N‑COUNT A kindred spirit is a person who has the same view of life or the same interests as you.
ki|net|ic /k I ne t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] In physics, kinetic is used to describe something that is concerned with movement. [TECHNICAL ]
ki |net|ic e n|er|gy N‑UNCOUNT In physics, kinetic energy is the energy that is produced when something moves. [TECHNICAL ]
king ◆◆◇ /k I ŋ/ (kings )
1 N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT A king is a man who is the most important member of the royal family of his country, and who is considered to be the Head of State of that country. □ [+ of ] …the king and queen of Spain. □ [+ of ] In 1154, Henry II became King of England.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a man as the king of something, you mean that he is the most important person doing that thing or he is the best at doing it. □ [+ of ] He's the king of unlicensed boxing.
3 N‑COUNT A king is a playing card with a picture of a king on it. □ [+ of ] …the king of diamonds.
4 N‑COUNT In chess, the king is the most important piece. When you are in a position to capture your opponent's king, you win the game.
king|dom /k I ŋdəm/ (kingdoms )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft in names] A kingdom is a country or region that is ruled by a king or queen. □ The kingdom's power declined. □ …the United Kingdom.
2 N‑SING [usu n N ] All the animals, birds, and insects in the world can be referred to together as the animal kingdom . All the plants can be referred to as the plant kingdom .
king|fisher /k I ŋf I ʃə r / (kingfishers ) N‑COUNT A kingfisher is a brightly-coloured bird which lives near rivers and lakes and catches fish.
king|ly /k I ŋli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Kingly means like a king, or related to the duties of a king. [LITERARY ] □ …a noble man, kingly in stature. □ They thought that he should resume his kingly duties.
king|pin /k I ŋp I n/ (kingpins ) N‑COUNT [n N ] If you describe someone as the kingpin of an organization, you mean that they are the most important person involved in it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] …one of the kingpins of a large drugs ring.