kinfolk

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "kinfolk" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe a group of people who are related to each other. For example, you could write: "The Smith family gathered for the holiday dinner, surrounded by their kinfolk from far and wide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you were in power, you would grow rich and your kinfolk would get more jobs in the civil service.

The Economist

National minorities are groups with kinfolk in a neighbouring state but who are a minority in the state in which they reside.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Escalation or contagion effects occur when a conflict in one country spreads across borders into neighbouring countries in which an ethnic minority has its kinfolk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The migrating Boers, called Voortrekkers (Afrikaans: "Early Migrants"), left in a series of parties of kinfolk and neighbours, with an almost equal number of mixed-race dependents, under prominent leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the plane made its approach to Kinshasa, Ali asked his friend and business manager Gene Kilroy, "Who do my kinfolk in Zaire hate most in the world?" Kilroy reflected for a moment before saying, "Probably the Belgians – they were hard colonisers".

Independent

The look has been dubbed kinfolk man, and comes with tweedy jackets or wrinkly linen trousers rolled up at the hems and drab haircuts.

Independent

When Danny Montour introduced me to his two-year-old son, Mark, Lorraine said she hoped that he would seek a means of livelihood different from that of his male kinfolk.

The New Yorker

As you've pointed out, he's not the type who would come back just to see kinfolk.

The New Yorker

He tells Griselda that the boy and the girl are her children (he had them brought up by kinfolk in Bologna), and that he is taking Griselda back, more beloved now: "I wanted to teach you how to be a wife" — that is, submissive.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the background, no fewer than four varieties of animal print vie for attention, presenting further evidence that Moss's recently established interiors company will have no truck with Kinfolk-style neutral walls and hand-hewn wooden furniture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This Christmas, the look is unequivocally handmade and crafty, but in a Kinfolk-inspired, disciplined and wholesome way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kinfolk" when you want to evoke a sense of tradition or heritage in describing family relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "kinfolk" in highly formal or legal contexts where precise kinship terms (e.g., consanguineal relatives) are required. "Kinfolk" carries a more informal, folksy connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "kinfolk" is as a noun, typically used to collectively refer to one's relatives or family members. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in sentences describing gatherings, relationships, and cultural contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "kinfolk" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that refers to one's relatives or family members. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts and evokes a sense of tradition or heritage. While synonyms like "relatives" or "family members" exist, "kinfolk" carries a slightly more informal and folksy connotation. Therefore, while acceptable in most contexts, it is better to exercise caution and avoid using it in highly formal settings. Ludwig's examples show usage spanning from personal anecdotes to broader discussions of ethnic and cultural relationships. A word rooted in kinship and belonging!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatives

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the familial connection.

family members

This phrase specifies the type of relationship, focusing on immediate and extended relations.

relations

This term is a general synonym, similar to relatives but potentially broader.

family

This alternative is a broad term encompassing all related individuals.

kith and kin

This phrase is an idiomatic expression emphasizing close friends and family.

next of kin

This term refers to the closest blood relatives, often in legal contexts.

blood relatives

This phrase specifies a genetic connection between individuals.

ancestors

This term refers to forebears or those from whom one is descended.

descendants

This alternative focuses on those who come after in a family line.

lineage

This term refers to the ancestral line or family history.

FAQs

How to use "kinfolk" in a sentence?

You can use "kinfolk" to refer to your relatives or family members, as in "We gathered with our "relatives" and "family members", our kinfolk, for Thanksgiving."

What can I say instead of "kinfolk"?

Alternatives to "kinfolk" include "relatives", "family members", or simply "family", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "kinfolk" in formal writing?

"Kinfolk" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, terms like "relatives" or "family members" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "kinfolk" and "ancestors"?

"Kinfolk" refers to living relatives or family members, while "ancestors" refers to those from whom you are descended.