human
HYOO-muhn
Human (adjective) means relating to people, or having the qualities typical of people. Example: “It's only human to make mistakes sometimes.”
adjective
1
Relating to people, or having the qualities typical of people.
"It's only human to make mistakes sometimes."
"The robot was designed to mimic human expressions."
"Teachers need patience and a good understanding of human behaviour."
noun
1
A member of the species Homo sapiens; a person.
"Humans have lived on every continent except Antarctica."
"The documentary explores how early humans adapted to changing climates."
"Dogs can often sense when a human is feeling sad or nervous."
How to use human
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person, or anything relating to people and their nature.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
human nature
human rights
human error
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Word forms
- Plural
- humans
- Third person singular
- humans
- Past tense
- humaned, humanned
- Comparative
- more human
- Superlative
- most human
Fill the gap
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It's only _____ to make mistakes sometimes.
Etymology
From Old French humain, from Latin hūmānus ("of man"), related to homo ("man, human being").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for human
See all rhymes for human →Frequently asked questions
What does “human” mean?
The word “human” means relating to people, or having the qualities typical of people. In plain terms, a person, or anything relating to people and their nature.
How do you pronounce “human”?
“Human” is pronounced HYOO-muhn (/ˈhjuː.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “human” in a sentence?
Here is “human” used in a sentence: “It's only human to make mistakes sometimes.”
What is another word for “human”?
Words with a similar meaning to “human” include mannish, mennish, featherless biped and naked ape.
What is the opposite of “human”?
The opposite of “human” — its antonyms — are inhuman, nonhuman and unhuman.
What part of speech is “human”?
Depending on how it is used, “human” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “human” come from?
The word “human” comes from Latin. From Old French humain, from Latin hūmānus ("of man"), related to homo ("man, human being").
Is “human” a common word?
“Human” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between human and humane?
Human means relating to people or typical of people, and can describe faults as well as virtues. Humane means kind, compassionate, and merciful. A slip is a human error; treating animals gently is humane treatment. Being human is simply being a person; being humane is choosing kindness.
What does it mean to be 'only human'?
To be 'only human' means to be imperfect, like everyone else - capable of mistakes, weakness, and emotion. The phrase is usually an excuse or a reassurance: it acknowledges that no person can be flawless, so errors and limitations are natural and forgivable.
What is the difference between human and humanity?
Human is chiefly an adjective describing what relates to people. Humanity is a noun with two senses: all people taken together ('the future of humanity'), and the quality of being kind ('she showed great humanity'). Human describes; humanity names either the group or the virtue.
What is the opposite of human?
It depends on the sense. As 'relating to people,' opposites include animal, machine, or divine. As 'having the warmth or fallibility of people,' the opposite is inhuman - cruel or cold. Context decides whether human contrasts with non-human things or with heartless behaviour.
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