close kin

USAGE SUMMARY

"close kin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to family members who are closely related to each other, such as siblings, parents, or grandparents. Example: "My close kin gathered together for a big family reunion last weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dutch and English were close kin once.

The New York Times - Arts

"The two artists are close kin".

The New York Times - Arts

This version, close kin but considerably more free, was recorded live in Basel, Switzerland, in 2001.

The New York Times - Arts

The Lambert family one-ups the state: its wary reticence extends even to close kin.

The New York Times - Books

Tadpoles, he said, can taste each other, and tend to spit out close kin.

The New York Times - Science

Accordingly, she gave it a dark, dramatic reading, close kin to that on the recording.

The New York Times

Descent is patrilineal; and close kin, especially cousins, are preferred marriage partners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prague functions as a university should have — as a place where error and accomplishment are close kin, and waywardly explored.

The New Yorker

See the play done by the Market Theatre, Johannesburg and it becomes close kin to Athol Fugard's studies of apartheid.

The Guardian

The toss to Steve Smith looked like close kin to a screen, and went for 12 yards.

The New York Times

Any "real American" would have heard his German accent as close kin if not identical to her parents' Yiddish.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close kin" when you want to emphasize the degree of relatedness and the implied obligations or connections that come with it, particularly in sociological or anthropological contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "close kin" when referring to distant relatives or acquaintances. The phrase implies a direct and significant family connection, such as siblings, parents, or grandparents. Using it too broadly weakens its intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close kin" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying family members with whom one shares a direct and significant relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close kin" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that refers to immediate family members or those with strong familial ties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase appears most often in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, indicating its appropriateness for formal and informative writing. When using "close kin", it is important to distinguish it from more distant relatives to accurately convey the intended relationship. Alternatives like "immediate family" or "blood relatives" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate family

Focuses specifically on the closest family members, like parents and siblings.

blood relatives

Emphasizes the genetic connection between family members.

nearest relatives

Highlights those with the closest familial tie.

direct relations

Indicates a straight lineage connection.

nuclear family

Similar to immediate family but more structured, referring to a traditional family unit.

inner circle of family

Highlights the family members with whom one is most intimate and connected.

closely related family members

A more descriptive way of saying "close kin".

intimate relatives

Stresses the emotional closeness within the family.

family intimates

Another expression to emphasize emotional bond in family relations.

kindred spirits

Describes individuals who share a strong connection, although it is not necessarily familial.

FAQs

How can I use "close kin" in a sentence?

You can use "close kin" to refer to immediate family members. For example: "My close kin gathered for the holidays."

What are some alternatives to using "close kin"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "immediate family", "blood relatives", or "nearest relatives".

Is it appropriate to use "close kin" in formal writing?

Yes, "close kin" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts when discussing family relationships or genetics.

What is the difference between "close kin" and "distant relatives"?

"Close kin" refers to immediate family members with strong genetic and emotional connections, whereas "distant relatives" refers to family members who are not as closely related and with whom one may have less frequent contact.