noun
Uncommon
humanities
hyoo-MAN-ih-teez
Humanities (noun) means Academic subjects that study human culture, such as literature, history, philosophy, and languages, as opposed to the sciences. Example: “She's majoring in the humanities, focusing on history and literature.”
noun
1
Academic subjects that study human culture, such as literature, history, philosophy, and languages, as opposed to the sciences.
"She's majoring in the humanities, focusing on history and literature."
"Funding for the humanities has declined at many universities."
"Subjects like philosophy and classics are usually grouped under the humanities at university."
How to use humanities
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe group of academic subjects that study human culture and thought — literature, history, philosophy, and so on.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with humanity (the human race, or kindness) — the humanities is specifically a category of academic subjects.
Easily confused with
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Rhymes for humanities
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What does “humanities” mean?
The word “humanities” means academic subjects that study human culture, such as literature, history, philosophy, and languages, as opposed to the sciences. In plain terms, the group of academic subjects that study human culture and thought — literature, history, philosophy, and so on.
How do you pronounce “humanities”?
“Humanities” is pronounced hyoo-MAN-ih-teez (/hjuˈmæn.ɪ.tiz/ in IPA).
How do you use “humanities” in a sentence?
Here is “humanities” used in a sentence: “She's majoring in the humanities, focusing on history and literature.”
What is another word for “humanities”?
Words with a similar meaning to “humanities” include humanistic discipline.
What part of speech is “humanities”?
“Humanities” is a noun.
Is “humanities” a common word?
“Humanities” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What subjects are included in the humanities?
The humanities include academic subjects that study human culture, such as literature, history, philosophy, and languages. They are grouped together because they focus on human thought, expression, and society rather than natural phenomena.
What is the difference between the humanities and the sciences?
The humanities study human culture through fields like literature, history, philosophy, and languages, while the sciences focus on the natural and physical world using experimental and empirical methods. This distinction is central to how universities organize their departments and degree programs.
Is the humanities the same as liberal arts?
The humanities are a core part of what is often called the liberal arts, but liberal arts programs can also include social sciences and sometimes natural sciences alongside subjects like literature, history, philosophy, and languages. The humanities specifically refers to the culture-focused subjects rather than the broader liberal arts umbrella.
