society
Americannoun
-
societies
plural
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an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.
- Synonyms:
- company, brotherhood, fraternity, fellowship, association
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a body of individuals living as members of a community; community.
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the body of human beings generally, associated or viewed as members of a community.
the evolution of human society.
-
a highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members.
American society.
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such a system characterized by its dominant economic class or form.
middle-class society;
industrial society.
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those with whom one has companionship.
-
companionship; company.
to enjoy the society of good friends.
- Synonyms:
- fellowship
-
the social life of wealthy, prominent, or fashionable persons.
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the social class that comprises such persons.
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the condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.
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Biology. a closely integrated group of social organisms of the same species exhibiting division of labor.
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Ecclesiastical. ecclesiastical society.
adjective
noun
-
the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals
-
a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members
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such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant class
middle-class society
-
those with whom one has companionship
-
an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interest
a learned society
-
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the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable
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( as modifier )
a society woman
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the social life and intercourse of such people
to enter society as a debutante
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companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone else
I enjoy her society
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ecology a small community of plants within a larger association
Synonym Usage
See circle.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of society
First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French societe, from Latin societās, equivalent to soci(us) “partner, comrade” + -etās, variant of -itās -ity ( def. ) after a vowel
Explanation
The noun society refers to people living in social order. Unless you are a reclusive person, you are a part of society in some way or another. Society can also refer to fashionable elite, the "beau monde" or "smart set." An organization or club formed around a common interest is sometimes also called a society. To add to its mystique, this type of society might create special rules, greetings, or handshakes. Certain national societies that may have branches in your community include the Elks Lodge or the National Association of Professional Women.
Vocabulary lists containing society
Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices
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"The Constitution"
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"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But in the AI age I think so-called effort signaling will become increasingly important as a way of showing care across all facets of society.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Gerrow said members of the lodge wanted people from all sections of society to be allowed to express their culture and traditions in peace.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
“I was in search for a society where there was equality, where basics were covered, and I didn’t understand why that couldn’t happen in my own country,” Bass said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
"The citizens who went to the polls exercised their democratic right. High voter turnout is a positive thing, both within Arab society and in all communities in Israel."
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
How wonderful, after the year alone in the woods, to see this model of civilized society, the town where he was born.
From "Abel's Island" by William Steig
This finding adds another dimension to the emerging picture of prehistoric European societies.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026
While these societies were separated by geography and many centuries, the medical role of magic is a recurring theme.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
They frequently appear in pottery created by ancient societies along the Andean coast.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026
“We should care about this because societies where people feel lonely and isolated — those are societal failures that are up to all of us to address.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
In many New Guinean societies, the wealth of a person has traditionally been determined by the number of pigs he or she owns.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
