sapiens

adjective

sa·​pi·​ens ˈsa-pē-ənz 

ˈsā-, 

-ˌenz

: of, relating to, or being recent humans (Homo sapiens) as distinguished from various fossil hominids

Examples of sapiens in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to its basic theory, Homo sapiens as a species moved so rapidly from hunting and gathering to buying food at supermarkets that our genes never caught up. — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026

Homo naledi is an extinct cousin of our species, Homo sapiens. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 June 2026

And this story begins not with Homo sapiens but with our distant ancestors. — Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

Rougier said the decline coincided with the arrival of early Homo sapiens in Europe, raising the possibility that competition for resources may have played a role. — City News Service, Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin (specific epithet of Homo sapiens), from Latin, present participle of sapere

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sapiens

• Homo sapiens

Medical Definition

sapiens

see homo sapiens