social capital

[ soh-shuhl kap-i-tl ]

/ ˈsoʊ ʃəl ˈkæp ɪ tl /

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noun Sociology.

the interpersonal relationships, institutions, and other social assets of a society or group that can be used to gain advantage: the impact of social capital on productivity and economic well-being; the ways in which women accumulate social capital.

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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 social capital

First recorded in 1830–35

Words nearby social capital

Social and Liberal Democratic Party, social anthropology, social assistance, social bee, social bookmarking, social capital, Social Chapter, Social Charter, social class, social climber, social construct

How to use social capital in a sentence

Their work assesses whether the level of social capital in a community predicts the severity of the pandemic there.
Researchers identify social factors inoculating some communities against coronavirus|Christopher Ingraham|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
My sister-in-law has significantly more social capital than my husband.
Carolyn Hax: Her sister-in-law has the starring role in a mean group chat|Carolyn Hax|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
Yi says starting remotely makes it harder to build social capital and the relationships one needs to execute.
Now is a great time to make a drastic career change|Mitra Kalita|January 5, 2021|Fortune
Communities that have high levels of social capital benefit in many ways.
Trust Me (Ep. 266 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|December 31, 2020|Freakonomics

They reaped the benefits of being chosen, both through social capital and through reproduction, and then they passed those traits to the next generation.
We admire these do-gooders. We just don’t want to date them.|Sigal Samuel|December 4, 2020|Vox
And given Friedman's thesis, how will we muster the social capital to welcome all these strangers with open arms?
Our Demographic Decline|Megan McArdle|December 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In other words, the more social capital around you, the more likely you are to get out and vote.
Lower Voting Rates in Neighborhoods Hit By Foreclosure: Study|Jesse Singal|September 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The growing size of the social capital implies a more general appreciation of the importance of future well-being.
Essentials of Economic Theory|John Bates Clark
Technical gains are the largest source of additions to the total amount of the social capital.
Essentials of Economic Theory|John Bates Clark
Increasing the rapidity of productive inventions only multiplies the additions made to the social capital.
Essentials of Economic Theory|John Bates Clark
In labouring for the augmentation of the social capital he would thus be securing an insurance for his old age.
The Non-religion of the Future: A Sociological Study|Jean-Marie Guyau
There seems nothing left but wages and profits—and yet, there is capital, individual and social capital.
The Accumulation of Capital|Rosa Luxemburg

British Dictionary definitions for social capital

social capital

noun

the network of social connections that exist between people, and their shared values and norms of behaviour, which enable and encourage mutually advantageous social cooperation

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