society

[ suh-sahy-i-tee ]

/ səˈsaɪ ɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR society ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural so·ci·e·ties.

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

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

the body of human beings generally, associated or viewed as members of a community: the evolution of human society.

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.

such a system characterized by its dominant economic class or form: middle-class society; industrial society.

those with whom one has companionship.

companionship; company: to enjoy the society of good friends.

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

the social class that comprises such persons.

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

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

Ecclesiastical. ecclesiastical society.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of elegant society: a society photographer.

Nearby words

Origin of society

1525–35; < Middle French societe < Latin societās, equivalent to soci(us) partner, comrade + -etās, variant of -itās- -ity

SYNONYMS FOR society

1. association, fellowship, fraternity, brotherhood, company. 7. fellowship.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR society ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

so·ci·e·ty·less, adjectivein·ter·so·ci·e·ty, adjectivenon·so·ci·e·ty, noun, plural non·so·ci·e·ties.sub·so·ci·e·ty, noun, plural sub·so·ci·e·ties.

un·der·so·ci·e·ty, noun, plural un·der·so·ci·e·ties.

Synonym study

1. See circle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for society

“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The sickness in her mind was a reflection of the sickness of her life, a sickness created by her family and her society.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The brother of a girl who made her debut in New Orleans society was shaking his fists in excitement.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Your letter highlights so many of the harsh realities trans people face, specifically in regard to how society rejects us.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Society itself must be changed, right out from under our hopeless cases.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This condition of things probably affects politics and society more than the thoughtless suppose.
Lost Leaders|Andrew Lang
These conservatives are not without value, but they can only exist in a fixed state of society.
The Puddleford Papers,|H. H. Riley
They are to be admitted to the society of Captain Wharton, who waits only for their testimony to be tried.
The Spy|J. Fenimore Cooper
But these conditions, as I have shown, produce a conscience, the representative of society in the consciousness of the individual.
Morals and the Evolution of Man|Max Simon Nordau
Caroline and Beatrix had no lack of society, seated in their saddles outside.
Abington Abbey|Archibald Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for society

society

/ (səˈsaɪətɪ) /

noun plural -ties

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

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

such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant classmiddle-class society

those with whom one has companionship

an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interesta learned society

the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable
(as modifier)a society woman

the social life and intercourse of such peopleto enter society as a debutante

companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone elseI enjoy her society

ecology a small community of plants within a larger association

Word Origin for society

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

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

Word Origin and History for society

society

1530s, "companionship, friendly association with others," from Old French societe "company" (12c., Modern French société), from Latin societatem (nominative societas) "fellowship, association, alliance, union, community," from socius "companion" (see social (adj.)).

Meaning "group, club" is from 1540s, originally of associations of persons for some specific purpose. Meaning "people bound by neighborhood and intercourse aware of living together in an ordered community" is from 1630s. Sense of "the more cultivated part of any community" first recorded 1823, hence "fashionable people and their doings." The Society Islands were named 1769 by Cook on his third Pacific voyage in honor of the Royal Society, which financed his travels across the world to observe the transit of Venus.

Idioms and Phrases with society

society

see under mutual admiration society.

society

noun, plural so·ci·e·ties.

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of society

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for society

society

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for society

society

society