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Where does the word "unkind" come from? It comes from Old English uncynde, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
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Where does the word "unkind" come from? It comes from Old English uncynde, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Unkind’s story begins in Old English: uncynde meant “unnatural.” Meant unnatural, as 'cynd' meant nature or kind. It reached English by 1500s as unkind. From 'not of the right nature' it came to mean cruel by the 1300s. Today, unkind means not caring about others; harsh.
- Stage 1 · Old English · 700s-1000s uncynde "unnatural", meant unnatural, as 'cynd' meant nature or kind.
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s unkind "harsh", from 'not of the right nature' it came to mean cruel by the 1300s.