kin

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "kin" means family or relatives - blood relations, or sometimes just folks you’re bound to by closeness and loyalty.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Kin' is still in use plenty, but probly more with old timers.

Pronunciation

[KIN]

Meaning & Usage

- Family / Relatives (noun)

Earl:

Them folks over yonder?

Mae:

Yep, that’s my kin from down in Lee County.

Ruby:

We ain’t blood, but you’re kin to me all the same.

other spellings: kin, kinsfolk, kinfolk, and my kin

★ When someone calls you "kin," it’s more than genealogy. It can mean you’re part of their circle, trusted like family whether or not you share bloodlines. ★

Origin

From Old English *cynn*, meaning "family, race, kind." Scots-Irish settlers brought the word to Appalachia, where it held strong in everyday talk. It’s one of the oldest words still alive in American English.

Notes

"Kin" often carries emotional weight. It can mean distant cousins at a reunion or your closest blood relatives. In Appalachia, it can also mean chosen family - folks you claim as your own.

Say It Like a Southerner

It’s short and clipped - rhymes with "pin." In mountain talk it often slides right into other words: "mahkin" (my kin), "allkin" (all kin).

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

Is "kin" the same as "family"?

Pretty much, but "kin" often emphasizes blood relations or heritage, while "family" can be broader.

What about "kinfolk" or "kinsfolk"?

They’re extended forms of "kin" - meaning your whole family group.

Do people still say "kin"?

Absolutely, especially in Appalachia, the South, and in older family talk.

Can "kin" mean friends, too?

Sometimes - when someone says "you’re like kin to me," it means you’re family in spirit, not just in blood.