kinship
KIN-ship
/ˈkɪn.ʃɪp/
Blood relationship; a sharing of characteristics or origins.
Can refer to literal family ties or a metaphorical feeling of closeness and shared nature.
The story behind the word. From the Old English 'cynn', which meant 'family, race, or nature'. It is related to the word 'kind'—both in the sense of 'type' and 'caring', because we are naturally more caring toward our own kind.
Word relationships
- affinity: Affinity is a natural liking; kinship is a more profound, often structural or biological connection.
- estrangement: Estrangement is the state of being alienated or separated from kin.
Commonly confused with
- kindred: Kindred is usually an adjective (kindred spirits); kinship is the noun describing the relationship.
Word family
- kin (noun): One's family and relations.
- next of kin (noun): A person's closest living relative.
Collocations
- sense of kinship
- kinship ties
- spiritual kinship
Example sentences
- "The study of kinship patterns is central to understanding tribal social structures." Anthropology
- "She felt a strange kinship with the lonely protagonist of the novel." Emotional connection
Memory hook
Kinship is the 'ship' (state) of being 'kin' (family). The family bond.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean just 'friendship'; it requires a deeper, more fundamental connection.
Fun facts
- In many societies, kinship is the primary way that property, status, and obligations are organized.
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