humanity

[ hyoo-man-i-teeor, often, yoo- ]

noun

, plural hu·man·i·ties.

1. all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
2. the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
3. the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.

   Synonyms: tenderness, goodwill, sympathy

   Antonyms: unkindness, inhumanity

4. the humanities,
   1. the study of classical languages and classical literature.
   2. the Latin and Greek classics as a field of study.
   3. literature, philosophy, art, etc., as distinguished from the natural sciences.
   4. the study of literature, philosophy, art, etc.

humanity

/ hjuːˈmænɪtɪ /

noun

1. the human race
2. the quality of being human
3. kindness or mercy
4. the humanities
   the humanities plural the study of literature, philosophy, and the arts
5. the study of Ancient Greek and Roman language, literature, etc

Other Words From

• anti·hu·mani·ty noun plural antihumanities
• over·hu·mani·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of humanity¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English humanite, from Latin hūmānitās; equivalent to human + -ity

Example Sentences

Around the world, pollution from tiny particles like those from wildfire smoke remains one of the largest health threats to humanity.

From Vox

In the 1990s, many were swept up by the dream of the Internet weaving humanity into a single community.

From Fortune

Of all the errors in judgment that humanity is prone to, overconfidence may be the most damaging.

From Quartz

We have honestly made enough clothing to last humanity for generations.

From Fortune

I think also people fundamentally don’t understand that under-resourced communities, just because one family or one household might be under-resourced, that doesn’t mean that they completely forget their own sense of humanity for their neighbor.

From Eater

Houellebecq shows himself to be perfectly disgusted with humanity.

From The Daily Beast

While politics tend to migrate toward the poles, humanity—and fiction, at its best—huddles in between.

From The Daily Beast

Christmas is unique in that it is a global holiday celebrated all over the world by humanity.

From The Daily Beast

A few carried signs: "IMAGINE JUSTICE," "BLACK LIVES MATTER," "CLAIM HUMANITY."

From The Daily Beast

Liberals either boast or comfort themselves that their own beliefs push humanity forward.

From The Daily Beast

Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet sufficiently transparent to let the celestial origin shine through.

From Project Gutenberg

Even if poverty were gone, the flail could still beat hard enough upon the grain and chaff of humanity.

From Project Gutenberg

It loses all its value just as soon as there is enough of it to satisfy, and over-satisfy the wants of humanity.

From Project Gutenberg

Humanity must bench with justice; or punishment itself becomes crime, and degenerates into revenge.

From Project Gutenberg

In the tear-stained story of humanity there has never been aught to surpass the thrilling record of Cawnpore.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compassion
• empathy
• friendship
• generosity
• goodness
• goodwill
• kindness