What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relative
Example
My relatives are coming over for dinner tonight. [relative: noun]
Example
The company's profits were relative to their expenses. [relative: adjective]
kin
Example
She felt a strong connection to her kin and their cultural traditions. [kin: noun]
Example
We consider each other kin, even though we're not related by blood. [kin: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relative is more commonly used than kin in everyday language, especially when referring to a specific family member. Kin is less common and often used in more informal or colloquial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between relative and kin?
Relative is generally more formal than kin, which is often used in informal or colloquial contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.
