humanity
Americannoun
-
all human beings collectively; the human race; humankind.
-
the quality or condition of being human; human nature.
-
the quality of being humane; kindness; benevolence.
- Synonyms:
- goodwill, tenderness, sympathy
- Antonyms:
- unkindness, inhumanity
-
the humanities,
-
the study of classical languages and classical literature.
-
the Latin and Greek classics as a field of study.
-
literature, philosophy, art, etc., as distinguished from the natural sciences.
-
the study of literature, philosophy, art, etc.
-
noun
-
the human race
-
the quality of being human
-
kindness or mercy
-
(plural) the study of literature, philosophy, and the arts
-
the study of Ancient Greek and Roman language, literature, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of humanity
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English humanite, from Latin hūmānitās; equivalent to human + -ity
Explanation
Humanity is the human race, which includes everyone on Earth. It’s also a word for the qualities that make us human, such as the ability to love and have compassion, be creative, and not be a robot or alien. The word humanity is from the Latin humanitas for "human nature, kindness.” Humanity includes all the humans, but it can also refer to the kind feelings humans often have for each other. Awww. But when you talk about humanity, you could just be talking about people as a whole. When people do bad things, it tests your faith in humanity. When people ask for money to help feed starving children, they're appealing to your sense of humanity.
Vocabulary lists containing humanity
John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence, and peace," Sanchez wrote on X.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
There was this games company, which makes Cards Against Humanity, that said they’re going to give the tariff money back.
From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026
That includes Espino, who said Habitat for Humanity recently had found a way to help finance the rebuild for her multigenerational family.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
"Humanity has once again shown what we are capable of," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
The Fixers, as they’re called, usher in what many refer to as the Golden Age of Humanity.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
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.
