humanist

[ hyoo-muh-nist or, often, yoo- ]

/ ˈhyu mə nɪst or, often, ˈyu- /

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noun

a person having a strong interest in or concern for human welfare, values, and dignity.

a person devoted to or versed in the humanities.

a student of human nature or affairs.

a classical scholar.

(sometimes initial capital letter) any one of the scholars of the Renaissance who pursued and disseminated the study and understanding of the cultures of ancient Rome and Greece, and emphasized secular, individualistic, and critical thought.

(sometimes initial capital letter) a person who follows a form of philosophical or scientific humanism.

adjective Also hu·man·is·tic

[hyoo-muh-nis-tik, or, often, yoo‐] /ˌhyu məˈnɪs tɪk, or, often, ˌyu‐/

of or relating to human affairs, nature, welfare, or values: our humanist principles; a humanist approach to social reform.

(sometimes initial capital letter) of or relating to the humanities or classical scholarship, especially that of the Renaissance humanists: humanist studies; the Humanist ideology of Petrarch.

of or relating to philosophical or scientific humanism: a humanist philosophy that clashed with his parents’ religious beliefs.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of humanist

1585–95; <Middle French, French humaniste “classics scholar, classicist” See human, -ist

OTHER WORDS FROM humanist

hu·man·is·ti·cal·ly, adverban·ti·hu·man·ist, noun, adjectivean·ti·hu·man·is·tic, adjectivenon·hu·ma·nist, noun

non·hu·man·is·tic, adjectivepseu·do·hu·man·is·tic, adjectivequa·si-hu·man·is·tic, adjectivesem·i·hu·man·is·tic, adjectiveun·hu·man·is·tic, adjective

Cultural definitions for humanist

humanist

In the Renaissance, a scholar who studied the languages and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome; today, a scholar of the humanities. The term secular humanist is applied to someone who concentrates on human activities and possibilities, usually downplaying or denying the importance of God and a life after death.