1
: related by blood : descended from a common ancestor or prototype
The dog and fox are closely akin.
2
: essentially similar, related, or compatible
His interests are akin to mine.
Examples of akin in a Sentence
The two languages are closely akin.
foxes are closely akin to dogs
Recent Examples on the Web
The cocktails are related, but after the crisp minimalism of a Gibson, the Martinez is akin to encountering a violent early hominid in a downtown bar.
—
Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2024
There’s also tico sauce, which is akin to the Costa Rican Lizano sauce — tico is a nickname for a Costa Rican.
—Philip Freeman, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for akin 
Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2024
There’s also tico sauce, which is akin to the Costa Rican Lizano sauce — tico is a nickname for a Costa Rican.
—Philip Freeman, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for akin
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'akin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near akin
Cite this Entry
“Akin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/akin. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
akin
adjective1
: related by blood
2
: essentially similar or related
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