kinda
gb/kˈɪndə/ us/kˈɪndə/
B1
English
~ 9300
kicsit, amolyan, félig-meddig, nagyjából
B1
INFORMAL
1
kicsit
A1
Usage pattern:
kinda [adjective]
I’m kinda tired, so I might go home early.
Kicsit fáradt vagyok, úgyhogy lehet, hogy korábban hazamegyek.
That movie was kinda boring, but the ending was good.
Az a film kicsit unalmas volt, de a vége jó volt.
She seemed kinda upset after the meeting.
This test is kinda hard, but I think I can pass.
It was kinda fun to try something new.
Learner examples
I feel kinda sick today.
Ma kicsit rosszul érzem magam.
The food was kinda spicy for me.
Az étel nekem kicsit csípős volt.
He is kinda shy with new people.
The homework is kinda easy this week.
It’s kinda cold outside, so take a jacket.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write 'kinda' in formal emails, essays, or exams where it sounds too casual. In formal writing, use 'somewhat', 'rather', or simply remove the softening word. Another mistake is spelling it as two words '*kind a*'; the correct informal spelling is 'kinda'.
Meaning
somewhat; to some extent
Collocations
kinda tired
|kinda weird
|kinda funny
|kinda hard
|kinda like
|kinda boring
Synonyms
kind of (Standard written form; slightly less casual than 'kinda'.)
|
sort of (Similar softening effect; used in both British and American English, slightly less slangy in writing.)
|
somewhat (More formal and neutral; common in careful writing, not in very casual speech.)
|
a bit (Very common in speech; often sounds a little milder than 'kinda' in some contexts.)
Antonyms
very (Marks a strong degree, the opposite of the weak or moderate degree expressed by 'kinda'.)
|
completely (Expresses full degree, without the softening or partial quality that 'kinda' has.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|conversation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to mean ‘a little’ or ‘not very but not a lot’ before an adjective, adverb, or verb.
Used to mean ‘somewhat’ or ‘to some extent’, often softening or weakening an adjective, adverb, or verb in informal speech or writing.
B2
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
kinda [a/an] [noun]
It’s kinda a mix between a cake and a cookie.
Ez amolyan átmenet a torta és a keksz között.
He’s kinda a mentor to me, even though it’s not official.
Ő amolyan mentorom, bár nem hivatalosan.
This app is kinda a social network and kinda a game.
That song is kinda a love song, but also about friendship.
It’s kinda the same idea, just with a different design.
Learner examples
She is kinda a teacher and kinda a coach.
Ő félig-meddig tanár, félig-meddig edző.
This drink is kinda a juice and kinda a soda.
Ez az ital félig-meddig gyümölcslé, félig-meddig üdítő.
My phone is kinda a work tool and kinda a toy.
The story is kinda a joke and kinda a real memory.
It is kinda the truth, but not all of it.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'kinda' in place of clear, exact language where precision is needed (for example, in academic or technical writing). In those contexts, avoid 'kinda' and state exactly what something is. Learners may also forget that 'kinda' is strongly informal and should be avoided in formal speech.
Meaning
in a way; not exactly
Collocations
kinda a mix
|kinda a teacher
|kinda a big deal
|kinda like a
|kinda the same
|kinda true
Synonyms
kind of (Same meaning but more acceptable in neutral writing; 'kinda' is more casual and speech-like.)
|
sort of (Very close in meaning; sometimes sounds slightly less slangy than 'kinda'.)
|
almost (Stronger sense of being very close; 'kinda' can be looser and more about similarity than closeness.)
Antonyms
exactly (States something is fully and precisely true, the opposite of the vague or approximate quality of 'kinda'.)
|
definitely (Expresses clear, firm truth without the uncertainty or softening that 'kinda' has.)
Themes
daily life
|conversation
|description
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used when something is true only in some ways, or when it is similar to something but not exactly the same.
Used to say that something is true only in an approximate or loose way, often when describing what something is like or what role someone has.
Grammar
Dictionary form
kinda
IPA
GB/kˈɪndə/
US/kˈɪndə/
Syllables & stress
kinda (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (kinda)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: kinda
- Plural: kindas
Word family
Expressions
kinda sorta
1/kˈɪndə sˈɔɹtə/
fixed phrase
informal
very roughly; not really
Used to say something is true only a little and not in a clear or strong way; it is almost like saying yes and no at the same time.
Examples
- I’m kinda sorta interested, but I’m not sure yet.
- We’re kinda sorta dating, but it’s not official.
- He kinda sorta apologized, but it didn’t feel real.