kind of

• kindof
• kinda

From a reanalysis of kind of in a phrase such as a kind of merry dance from “a kind + of + merry dance” (a type among merry dances) to “a + kind-of merry + dance” (a somewhat merry dance).

kind of (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic, colloquial) Slightly; somewhat; sort of.

   I'm getting kind of tired. Could we finish tomorrow?

   That's the right answer, kind of.

• sort of, sorta