social
SOH-shuhl
Social (adj) means relating to society, communities, or how people interact with each other. Example: “The report looked at the social effects of long-term unemployment.”
adj
1
Relating to society, communities, or how people interact with each other.
"The report looked at the social effects of long-term unemployment."
"She studies social behavior in primates."
"Loneliness is becoming a serious social problem in many large cities."
2
Enjoying being with other people; outgoing.
"He's a social person who thrives at parties."
"My sister is very social and always invites friends round on Fridays."
"I'm not very social, so I usually avoid big parties."
3
Relating to social media or online networks.
"The brand built its following through social channels."
"She spends most of her evenings scrolling through social feeds on her phone."
"The cafe gained new customers after posting photos on its social pages."
How to use social
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with people living, working, or interacting together — or, informally, a person who enjoys company.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
social media
social issues
social life
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like social.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more social
- Superlative
- most social
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The report looked at the _____ effects of long-term unemployment.
Etymology
From Middle French social, from Latin socialis ("of companionship"), from socius ("companion, ally").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for social
See all rhymes for social →Frequently asked questions
What does “social” mean?
The word “social” means relating to society, communities, or how people interact with each other. In plain terms, to do with people living, working, or interacting together — or, informally, a person who enjoys company.
How do you pronounce “social”?
“Social” is pronounced SOH-shuhl (/ˈsoʊ.ʃəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “social” in a sentence?
Here is “social” used in a sentence: “The report looked at the social effects of long-term unemployment.”
What is the opposite of “social”?
The opposite of “social” — its antonyms — are antisocial, unsocial and asocial.
What part of speech is “social”?
“Social” is an adjective.
Where does the word “social” come from?
The word “social” comes from Latin. From Middle French social, from Latin socialis ("of companionship"), from socius ("companion, ally").
Is “social” a common word?
“Social” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “social” have?
“Social” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to society, communities, or how people interact with each other.
What is the difference between social and sociable?
Social describes anything relating to society or the way people interact, such as social issues or social media. Sociable describes a person who enjoys the company of others and is friendly and outgoing. You can attend a social event without being especially sociable — the first refers to the setting, the second to personality.
What is the difference between social and societal?
Both relate to society, but societal is narrower and more formal, referring to society as a whole and its structures — societal norms, societal change. Social is broader and more everyday, covering personal interaction too, as in social life or social skills. Societal almost always describes large-scale, collective matters.
Is social a positive word?
Social is generally neutral or positive. Calling someone social suggests they enjoy company and connect easily with others, which is usually a compliment. In broader use — social policy, social issues — it is simply descriptive, carrying no praise or criticism on its own. Context decides any emotional colouring.
What is an example of social?
Social appears in many everyday phrases. Social skills are the abilities used to interact with others, a social gathering is an event for company and enjoyment, and social media refers to online platforms for connection. In each case the word points to people relating to one another or to society at large.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include social:
