society

[suh-sahy-i-tee]

noun

plural

societies 

1. an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.

   Synonyms: company, brotherhood, fraternity, fellowship, association

2. a body of individuals living as members of a community; community.

3. the body of human beings generally, associated or viewed as members of a community.

   the evolution of human society.

4. a highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members.

   American society.

5. such a system characterized by its dominant economic class or form.

   middle-class society;

   industrial society.

6. those with whom one has companionship.

7. companionship; company.

   to enjoy the society of good friends.

   Synonyms: fellowship

8. the social life of wealthy, prominent, or fashionable persons.

9. the social class that comprises such persons.

10. the condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.

11. Biology.,  a closely integrated group of social organisms of the same species exhibiting division of labor.

12. Ecclesiastical.,  ecclesiastical society.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of elegant society.

   a society photographer.

society

/ səˈsaɪətɪ /

noun

1. the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals

2. a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members

3. such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant class

   middle-class society

4. those with whom one has companionship

5. an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interest

   a learned society

6. 1. the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable

   2. ( as modifier )

      a society woman

7. the social life and intercourse of such people

   to enter society as a debutante

8. companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone else

   I enjoy her society

9. ecology a small community of plants within a larger association

Other Word Forms

• societyless adjective
• intersociety adjective
• nonsociety noun
• subsociety noun
• undersociety noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of society¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French societe, from Latin societās, equivalent to soci(us) “partner, comrade” + -etās, variant of -itās -ity ( def. ) after a vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of society¹

C16: via Old French societé from Latin societās, from socius a comrade

Idioms and Phrases

see under mutual admiration society.

Synonym Study

See circle.

Example Sentences

“Entire societies have been organized around falsehoods,” Herzog says on a Zoom call from his Los Angeles home.

From Los Angeles Times

But he also wants to return to society as a citizen who contributed, rather than a convict who took.

From BBC

We walk out onto Grand Avenue or slink into the garage and drive away, afraid to see what is before our eyes — our society in the manner of its operation.

From Los Angeles Times

There he involves his wife, Lady Jane, who must balance securing their entry into London high society — and thus their future prospects — with her growing involvement in women’s suffrage.

From Los Angeles Times

"We live in a society that prizes freedom of choice and expression, values material wealth and tolerates vast inequality," argues Chris Rojek, sociology professor at City St George's, University of London.

From BBC

Related Words

• association 
• civilization 
• community 
• company 
• culture 
• humanity 
• nation 
• population 
• public 
• world