kind of like
In a way
Kind of like is a hedging phrase that introduces an inexact comparison or approximation: It tastes kind of like chicken, but gamier.
The doubling of hedges—kind of already softens, like already compares—makes the expression deliberately imprecise, useful when you're reaching for a description but can't land on the exact thing.
Common in casual speech, it often precedes analogies or explanations: It's kind of like a cross between a hostel and a hotel.
- looselyWithout being tight
- sort ofApproximately, not precisely
- roughlyIn approximate terms
- nearShort distance away
- closeNearby or to shut
akin · resembling · kinda · approximately · comparable · basically · kinda sorta · ish · more or less · almost · bordering on · in the ballpark · to some extent · as if · analogous · if you will · sorta kinda · figuratively