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of a kind

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of a kind

Having inferior, mediocre, or incomplete characteristics of something. He writes poetry of a kind, but it's nothing that will set the world ablaze. The office has a gym of a kind, but it's in such disrepair that no one really uses it.

See also: kind, of

of a kind

1. Of some sort, but not a typical or perfect specimen. For example, They have a backyard of a kind, but it's tiny. This usage was first recorded in 1895. For a synonym, see of sorts.

2. one of a kind. A unique instance, as in There are no others like it; this hybrid daylily is one of a kind, or She's extremely generous, one of a kind. Also see two of a kind.

See also: kind, of

of a kind

Of the same kind; alike: My father and my uncle are two of a kind.

See also: kind, of