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social definition

so·cial (sō′s̸həl)

adjective

  1. of or having to do with human beings living together as a group in a situation in which their dealings with one another affect their common welfare social consciousness, social problems
  2. living in this way; gregarious man as a social being
  3. of or having to do with the ranks or activities of society, specif. the more exclusive or fashionable of these a social event
  4. getting along well with others; sociable a social nature
  5. of, for, or involving friends, companionship, or sociability a social club
  6. offering material aid, counseling services, group recreational activities, etc. to those who need it; of or engaged in welfare work a social worker or agency
  7. living or associating in groups or communities the ant is a social insect
  8. Now Rare of or between allies or confederates a social war
  9. Bot. growing in clumps or masses

Etymology: < Fr or L: Fr < L socialis < socius, companion, akin to sequi, to follow < IE base *sekw-, to follow > OE secg, man, warrior

noun

an informal gathering of people for recreation or amusement; party

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

social Synonyms

social

modif.

  1. Concerning human affairs

    mundane, secular, worldly, human, philanthropic, cultural, eugenical, material, political, racial, humane, benevolent, charitable, altruistic; see also common 5, group, universal 2.

  2. Concerning polite intercourse

    diverting, genial, amusing, entertaining, companionable, pleasurable, informative, civil, polite, polished, mannerly, pleasure-seeking, hospitable, pleasant.

  3. Sociable

    communicative, convivial, familiar; see friendly 1, pleasant 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

social Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • do: They also meet on a Thursday for housegroup and try & do something social every week or two.

Modifies a noun

  • exclusion: Certain aspects of social exclusion of children have seen sharp rises in the last few years.

Modifying Another Word

  • inherently: One of the most compelling arguments for the use of computer games in education is that they are inherently social.

Noun used with modifier

  • football: Having proved their worth on the pitch it was time to introduce the Freshers to the football socials!

Used with adjective complement

  • promote: In one example it highlights how the BNP opposed huge investments in local schools, arguing it would promote social mixing.

Preposition: of

  • term: And the last social of the term was the Xmas meal at Dylan's ( and then onto Jive ).
social usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

social quotes

Thou shall not sin With statisticians nor commit A social science.

-Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

We know very little about what it is that moves great masses of men to action, and until we know more about this it is fitting for the social scientist to maintain a becoming modesty in the presence of a great deal to be modest about.

-Boulding, Kenneth Ewart

There's more hateful form of fooleryö The social sage's, Solomon of saloons And philosophic diner-out.

-Browning, Robert

social quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"social." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/social>

APA Style

social. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/social

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