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Synonyms

human being

American  

noun

  1. any individual of the genus Homo, especially a member of the species Homo sapiens.

  2. a person, especially as distinguished from other animals or as representing the human species.

    living conditions not fit for human beings; a very generous human being.
human being British  

noun

  1. a member of any of the races of Homo sapiens; person; man, woman, or child

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of human being

First recorded in 1855–60

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.

I think watching Lukita as an actor and a human being grow up over these past four years, it’s been really the joy of my career.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The third-party disclosure rule exists because sharing information with a human being creates a risk that the human will further disseminate it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

It came down to a straightforward question, she said: What kind of human being do you want to be?

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

"Teo sees that I'm a human being, that I'm not perfect, and he's okay with that."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Ever since he talked to me like a decent human being at church, my tolerance levels for Curtis have been much higher.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.