rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryilkKind or type
noun

ilk

ILK/ɪlk/

A kind of people or things.

The hiking boots belong with others of their ilk, apart from the sandals.

Show footwear grouped by kind: several visibly different hiking boots belong together, while formal shoes and sandals form separate groups.
Etymology
ilkOld Englishthe same

Ilca meant 'the same.' In Scottish 'of that ilk,' it indicated a family and estate sharing a name; this family association led to the broader meaning 'type' or 'sort.'

In context

Words Unravelled38:01
Although "terror" is not directly related to "horror," they are of the same ilk. Like, not only are they structurally similar, they're both from Old French and Latin
How are people using "mortified" wrongly? | EMOTION ETYMOLOGY

More examples

  • The shop sells antique clocks and objects of a similar ilk.
  • She welcomed researchers of every ilk.
  • The essay criticizes politicians of his ilk.

Forms

ilk

Similar words

kind
Kind is the neutral everyday term; ilk often groups people dismissively.
sort
Sort is a close equivalent; ilk usually appears in phrases such as of that ilk.