socially

American  

[soh-shuh-lee] / ˈsoʊ ʃə li /

adverb

1. in the friendly company of others; in a genial or gregarious manner.

   We met through mutual friends who gather socially several times a month.

2. in a manner that relates to human society and its configuration as a community.

   Her art strives to be both beautifully evocative and socially responsible.

3. in a manner that relates to the division of human society into classes according to status.

   Socially and economically, these children are repressed by disadvantages we cannot imagine.

4. with attention or regard to rules about behavior.

   In my day, carousing on a Sunday was socially unacceptable.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsocially adverb
• unsocially adverb

Etymology

Origin of socially

First recorded in 1610–30; social ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Gladiatorial culture developed with the rise of what were known as games, or those events put on by elite Romans for plebeians and others socially beneath them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

But first, a reminder that the “peace dividend” — that is, the surge of available resources for socially beneficial spending after the cessation of hostilities — has always been an elusive concept.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

In such a socially competitive and professionally rapacious city, having a dinner party is intimidating, too much work, and very few people, even with boatloads of cash, end up hosting one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Many of those in line have worn masks and socially distanced in scenes reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

“I was telling Ximena that Maya can be kind of socially awkward sometimes,” said Summer, patting Ximena’s back like a mom would.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio

Related Words

• culturally
• philosophically
• politically
• psychologically