society

[suh-sahy-i-tee]

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.

Origin of society

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

Related formsso·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.

Synonyms for society

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR society ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Synonym study

1. See circle.

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

Related Words for society

company, humanity, community, nation, culture, civilization, world, public, association, population, club, league, group, network, union, corporation, institute, circle, elite, commonwealth

Examples from the Web for society

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
Society itself must be changed, right out from under our hopeless cases.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters
James Poulos
January 1, 2015

Historical Examples of society

He was acquainted with the women of society, and with the women who only wished to be in society.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
The first duty of law is to keep sound the society it serves.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
He needs no nation, or government, or society, or companions before him or behind him.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
A society that had escaped from fear would escape from their control.
The Conquest of Fear
Basil King
How the devil would have laughed at the idea of a society for saving the world!
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for society

society

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

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.