kind

be one of a kind

to be the only one of a particular type of thing or person. As a female engineer who began her career in the 1940s, she was one of a kind.

not be the marrying kind (humorous)

if a man is not the marrying kind, he does not want to be married. George has had several girlfriends, but he's not the marrying kind.

See also: marry

be two of a kind

if two people are two of a kind, they have very similar characters. Amy and I are two of a kind. That's why we've stayed friends for so long.

See also: two

You have to be cruel to be kind.

something that you say when you do something to someone that will upset them now because you think it will help them in the future. I told her she's just not good enough to be a professional dancer - sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

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in kind

with the same thing. It was a nasty letter, but I will not respond in kind.

Etymology: based on payment in kind (= paying for something with food or things or work rather than money)

kind of

to some degree. I try to dress kind of nicely for work. I guess I kind of forget to thank her for all she does for me.

one of a kind

the only item of a particular type. He was an extraordinary person — absolutely one of a kind.

two of a kind

very similar. Where books are concerned, Tyler and Chloe are two of a kind.

See also: two