of a kind/sort
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 sort
Having inferior, mediocre, or incomplete characteristics of something. He writes poetry of a sort, but it's nothing that will set the world ablaze. The office has a gym of a sort, but it's in such disrepair that no one really uses it.
See also: of, sort
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
of a ˈkind
people or things with similar characteristics: Uncle Fred and your father are two of a kind; football and work, that’s all they seem to be interested in. He always uses the same style of photography and similar music so all his films are very much of a kind.See also: kind, of
of a ˈkind/ˈsort
(disapproving) (used after a noun) of poor quality; not what somebody/something should be: He is a poet of a kind. They gave us meat of a sort; we could hardly eat it.See also: kind, of, sort
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
of a kind
Of the same kind; alike: My father and my uncle are two of a kind.
See also: kind, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- of a kind
- of a sort
- of sorts
- garbage in, garbage out
- red-headed stepchild
- stepchild
- piece of crap
- second best
- a cut below