Search Dictionary
Definition of kinsman

kinsman

/ˈkɪnz.mən/
kins · man

Plural:kinsmen
JUMP TO:

kinsman Lexical Profile

kinsman Game Scores & Validity

• 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 kinsman

Word 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
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.