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Definition of ilk

ilk

/ɪlk/
ilk
Plural:ilks
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ilk Lexical Profile

ilk Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A type, kind, or class of people or things similar to those already referred to (often used with a disparaging connotation in phrases such as 'of that ilk').

Example

"The publisher rarely accepted manuscripts from tabloid journalists or writers of that ilk."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for ilk

Word Nuance & Usage

In modern English, 'ilk' is used almost exclusively in the prepositional phrase 'of that/this/their ilk' and often carries a mildly disapproving or dismissive tone toward the group being described.

• Rhymes for ilk

• Nearby Words

ilex
ili
iliad
ilk
ill
illadopsis
illegal

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English ilca ('the same'), originally preserved in the Scottish heraldic and landed phrase 'of that ilk' ('of that same place', indicating that a family's surname and ancestral estate shared the same name) before broadening in the late 18th century to mean 'type' or 'sort'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ilk. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ilk
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