noun A1 Beginner Very common

people

PEE-puhl

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People (noun) means Human beings in general, or the men, women and children of a particular group, place or nation. Example: “Many people enjoy walking in the park on sunny weekends.”

noun

Human beings in general, or the men, women and children of a particular group, place or nation.

"Many people enjoy walking in the park on sunny weekends."

"The people of this village are known for their warm welcome."

"Young people often like to spend their free time online with friends."

verb

To fill a place with inhabitants; to populate.

"Early settlers peopled the valley over several generations."

"Over centuries, farmers and traders peopled the once empty hills."

"Children and fishermen peopled the little harbour in the author's story."

To interact socially with others.

"He is shy and finds it tiring to people at big parties."

"I need a quiet night in; I've peopled enough for one day."

"After a long week alone, she was ready to go out and people a bit."

How to use people

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often a noun meaning "human beings collectively," but it can also be a verb meaning to fill somewhere with inhabitants.

When to use it

The verb use ("to people a room") is more literary/formal than everyday speech.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: peoples
Past tense: peopled

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Many _____ enjoy walking in the park on sunny weekends.

Etymology

From Old French pueple, from Latin populus ("a people, nation") — related to "populate" and "pueblo."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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populate settle colonize inhabit fill citizenry masses multitude mass

Antonyms

desolate

Related words

deal meet weight fit mass waste crowd fill

Rhymes for people

Constantinople

See all rhymes for people →

Frequently asked questions

What does “people” mean?

The word “people” means to fill a place with inhabitants; to populate. In plain terms, most often a noun meaning "human beings collectively," but it can also be a verb meaning to fill somewhere with inhabitants.

How do you pronounce “people”?

“People” is pronounced PEE-puhl (/ˈpi.pəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “people” in a sentence?

Here is “people” used in a sentence: “Early settlers peopled the valley over several generations.”

What part of speech is “people”?

“People” is a verb.

Where does the word “people” come from?

The word “people” comes from Latin. From Old French pueple, from Latin populus ("a people, nation") — related to "populate" and "pueblo.".

Is “people” a common word?

“People” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “people” have?

“People” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fill a place with inhabitants; to populate.

Can 'people' be used as a verb?

Yes, though it is uncommon. As a verb, 'to people' means to fill a place with inhabitants — to populate it. It often appears in the passive: 'the valley was peopled by settlers.' It is also used figuratively, as in a story 'peopled with memorable characters.'

What is the difference between 'people' and 'populate'?

Both mean to fill a place with inhabitants, but 'populate' is the everyday, neutral choice, while 'people' as a verb sounds more literary. 'People' also lends itself to figurative use — a book peopled with characters — where 'populate' would feel more technical or statistical.

What is an example of 'people' used as a verb?

'Immigrants peopled the frontier towns' shows the literal sense of filling a place with inhabitants. Figuratively, 'his imagination peopled the empty house with ghosts.' The past tense and past participle are both 'peopled,' and the sense is close to 'populated.'

Example sentences

Real-world examples showing people in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.

The latest wildfires in southern Europe this week have displaced more than 250,000 people, including some 70,000 people who were evacuated in central Spain.

From NBC News · Jul 25, 2026

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