humanities

Cultural  

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

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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

Under the new arrangements, arts GCSEs will be given equal status, external to humanities and languages.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

In fact, as both were in their twenties, they did not have much experience in anything at all—certainly not in anything remotely related to the humanities.

From Slate • May 14, 2026

"It takes critical thinking to develop and use AI tools in ways that make real advances in science, technology and the humanities," Burton says.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

Another argument has taken hold in Silicon Valley: interpersonal skills will become more valuable than ever, with some voices going so far as to tout a humanities education as sound tech career preparation.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Most things that seem ridiculous to me are normal there, like when my humanities teacher asked, “Who are the invisible people in our community? Who are the people we, as a society, take for granted?”

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson