kinfolk
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A group of people related by blood or marriage; one's relatives collectively. This word refers to the people who are connected to you through family ties, including both close and extended family.
Usage
- Kinfolk is a somewhat old-fashioned or formal word, more common in certain regional dialects (like Southern American English) than in everyday modern speech. It is often used to evoke a sense of tradition, heritage, or a close-knit family community.
- It is typically used as a collective noun (e.g., ) and is considered plural.
- Example:
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The term can carry cultural or emotional weight, emphasizing shared ancestry and belonging.
- Example: The land has been passed down through his kinfolk for over a century.
Variants and Related Words
- Kin (noun): A shorter, more modern synonym for kinfolk. (e.g., )
- Kinsfolk (noun): A direct variant with identical meaning to "kinfolk."
- Kinsman/Kinswoman (noun): Refers to an individual male or female relative.
Synonyms
- Relatives
- Family
- Kindred
- Relations
- Clan (especially when implying a large, traditional family group)
Antonyms
- Strangers
- Non-relatives
Idioms and Phrases
- Kith and kin: An old phrase meaning "friends and family." While "kin" means family, "kith" refers to friends or acquaintances. The phrase is often used to mean one's wider social circle or community.
- Example: He was well-known and respected by all his kith and kin.
Noun
- people descended from a common ancestor
- his family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower