humanities

Cultural  

1. One of the main branches of learning. A scholar of the humanities studies history, literature, the fine arts, and philosophy.

---

Explanation

The humanities are studies about human culture, such as literature, philosophy, and history. Studying the humanities gives you general knowledge, but not a practical trade — you probably wouldn’t study humanities at beauty school. If you're studying to be a dentist or a blacksmith, you're learning to be something in particular. Studying the humanities is different. The humanities provide general knowledge about the best accomplishments of human beings throughout history. Learning the works of Shakespeare, Plato, and Beethoven is part of the humanities. The humanities make a person educated, but not necessarily for a specific profession. Most people require a more specific area of study beyond the humanities.

Example Sentences

That was used to create the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

And last month, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded a $10 million matching grant and $100,000 in outright funds to UNC’s SCiLL.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

There were millions of dollars in grants from the EPA and National Endowment for the Humanities.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

According to the Federation of State Humanities Councils, “humanities councils work, on average, with over 120 local partners each year and raise $2 in private investment for every $1 of federal support.”

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2025

“I was on my way to Humanities and saw him go through the door at the end of the hall, the one that goes to the tower.”

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven