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Hillbilly Dude Says...
I use 'akin' sometimes, but I'd say it's mainly old timers. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I use 'akin' sometimes, but I'd say it's mainly old timers. 

Pronunciation

[uh-KIN]

Meaning & Usage

- Similar to or like (adjective)

Mae:
How’s it taste?
Earl:
It’s akin to what Mama used to fix.

- Related to (adjective, less common sense)

Mae:
Y’all kin?
Earl:
Somewhat - we’re akin through Granny’s side.
variations: similar to, like, related to, this feels akin to last winter, that pie’s akin to Granny’s recipe, akin to a brother
★ "Akin" is often used in rural speech to mean "like" or "similar to," not just blood kin. It sounds a little old-fashioned outside the South, but it’s still natural in Appalachian talk. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Middle English, meaning "related by blood." In American rural dialect, especially Southern and Appalachian, it broadened to mean "similar" or "of the same kind."

Usage Notes

Still alive in Southern/Appalachian speech, especially among older speakers. Outside the region, people may view it as formal or literary rather than everyday talk.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Said plain: "uh-kin." Smooth and quick in country talk.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "akin" always mean family?
No - in Southern/Appalachian speech it often just means "like" or "similar to."
Do people still use it today?
Yes - though less common with younger folks, it’s still heard in country storytelling and family talk.
Is it formal English or dialect?
Both - but in the South/Appalachia, it’s part of natural, everyday dialect.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 5). Akin. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/akin
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Akin." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/akin.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Akin." HillbillySlang.com. September 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/akin.
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