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Definition of kinsman
kinsman
/ˈkɪnz.mən/
kins · man
Plural:kinsmen
kinsman Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
kinsman Game Scores & Validity
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A male relative, or a person connected to another by blood or marriage.
Example
"The elderly nobleman left the entirety of his country estate to a distant kinsman."
2
A man sharing the same nationality, ethnic origin, or cultural background as another.
Example
"Having lived abroad for decades, he was overjoyed to meet a fellow kinsman from his homeland."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for kinsman Antonyms
View all antonyms for kinsmanWord Nuance & Usage
In contemporary English, 'kinsman' carries a formal, literary, or historical tone, whereas 'relative' or 'family member' is preferred in everyday conversation.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'kinesman', formed from the genitive of Old English 'cynn' (family, race, kin) and 'mann' (person, man).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kinsman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 2, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kinsman