1
: involving allies or confederates
the Social War between the Athenians and their allies
2
a
: marked by or passed in pleasant companionship with friends or associates
an active social life
b
: sociable
c
: of, relating to, or designed for sociability
a social club
3
: of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society
social institutions
4
a
: tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships with others
Infants can become social beings only through interaction with others.—
Gerald R. Leslie and Sheila K. Korman
Gerald R. Leslie and Sheila K. Korman
b
: living and breeding in more or less organized communities especially for the purposes of cooperation and mutual benefit : not solitary
Of the canid family, the wolf is one of the most social species, since it is a pack hunter.—Michael W. Fox
Michael W. FoxThe evolutionary theory of kin selection requires that social animals recognize their relatives so that altruistic behavior can be displayed preferentially toward kin.—Science
see also social insect
Science
c
of a plant
: tending to grow in groups or masses so as to form a pure stand
5
a
: of, relating to, or based on rank or status in a particular society
a member of our social set
b
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the upper classes
c
: formal
6
: being such in social situations
a social drinker
Synonyms
Examples of social in a Sentence
Adjective
She has poor social skills.
The vacation resort held a lot of social events.
I joined the club to improve my social life.
Her sister is much more social than she is.
social institutions like marriage and family
Health care is a major social issue.
Child abuse has become a serious social problem.
Martin Luther King, Jr., fought for social change.
Most humans are social beings.
Noun
The club has socials every month.
He's living on the social now.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebWill Weissert and Thomas Beaumont, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023
Josh Feldman Josh Feldman is a weekend platforms and social editor for NBC News.
—Lara Horwitz, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023
My long weekend was filled with cultural and social activities that were planned by Out in Colombia.
—Adam Groffman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2023
Amini’s death last September sparked the largest protests Iran had witnessed in years, morphing into a larger social movement with demonstrators protesting the regime’s treatment of women among other issues.
—Niamh Kennedy, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
The team writes that OSM skills depend on both social structures of animals and the frequency of watching events.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2023
With the Chicks still looming as a cautionary tale, few stars with platforms as big as Morris’s are willing to take the risk of alienating fans on either end of the ideological spectrum, and Morris has felt the loneliness of being one of few in her peer group to confront social injustice.
—Hannah Summerhill, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
Name popularity is so dependent on social circle too.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2023
Modern consumers are often all too happy to ditch last year’s Wayfair shipment for whatever new trend is sweeping their social media feeds.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023
Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
For details go to Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire website and on all socials.
—Liza Lentini, Spin, 1 Sep. 2023
The union rules prohibit members from promoting new or finished works being released during the strike in interviews, on their socials or on red carpets.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2023
For a taste of the Boston Kizomba Festival energy year-round, local instructors organize semi-regular socials and dance parties, like a pop-up kizomba social on the Providence Bridge this week and Paul’s upcoming Kiz’Thursday event at Moves & Vibes Dancing Academy on Sept. 7.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023
Lovato wrote on their socials back in 2019 after signing with Braun.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023
Often suggested for informal work socials or networking events, smart casual style revolves around building an outfit that’s relaxed—yet still professional.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2023
The photos will be displayed from Saturday morning until 11 a.m. Tuesday, when the Hayes host an annual Fourth of July ice-cream social.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2023
Additionally, Jackson has scrubbed his socials of any photos and mentions of Palmer.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2023
See More
Adjective
The event featured many devout and well-connected social conservatives who can play a decisive role in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses in January.
—Will Weissert and Thomas Beaumont, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023
Josh Feldman Josh Feldman is a weekend platforms and social editor for NBC News.
—Lara Horwitz, NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023
My long weekend was filled with cultural and social activities that were planned by Out in Colombia.
—Adam Groffman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2023
Amini’s death last September sparked the largest protests Iran had witnessed in years, morphing into a larger social movement with demonstrators protesting the regime’s treatment of women among other issues.
—Niamh Kennedy, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023
The team writes that OSM skills depend on both social structures of animals and the frequency of watching events.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2023
With the Chicks still looming as a cautionary tale, few stars with platforms as big as Morris’s are willing to take the risk of alienating fans on either end of the ideological spectrum, and Morris has felt the loneliness of being one of few in her peer group to confront social injustice.
—Hannah Summerhill, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023
Name popularity is so dependent on social circle too.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2023
Modern consumers are often all too happy to ditch last year’s Wayfair shipment for whatever new trend is sweeping their social media feeds.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2023
Noun
Entertainment & Arts Chris Evans and Taron Egerton deactivate socials: ‘My ability to be present is eroding’
June 30, 2023
Representatives for Evans and Baptista did not respond to The Times’ requests for comment.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
For details go to Tommy Stinson’s Cowboys in the Campfire website and on all socials.
—Liza Lentini, Spin, 1 Sep. 2023
The union rules prohibit members from promoting new or finished works being released during the strike in interviews, on their socials or on red carpets.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2023
For a taste of the Boston Kizomba Festival energy year-round, local instructors organize semi-regular socials and dance parties, like a pop-up kizomba social on the Providence Bridge this week and Paul’s upcoming Kiz’Thursday event at Moves & Vibes Dancing Academy on Sept. 7.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023
Lovato wrote on their socials back in 2019 after signing with Braun.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023
Often suggested for informal work socials or networking events, smart casual style revolves around building an outfit that’s relaxed—yet still professional.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2023
The photos will be displayed from Saturday morning until 11 a.m. Tuesday, when the Hayes host an annual Fourth of July ice-cream social.
—The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2023
Additionally, Jackson has scrubbed his socials of any photos and mentions of Palmer.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'social.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Latin socialis, from socius companion, ally, associate; akin to Old English secg man, companion, Latin sequi to follow — more at sue
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1857, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of social was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing social
Articles Related to social
Dictionary Entries Near social
Cite this Entry
“Social.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
social
1 of 2 adjective
so·cial
ˈsō-shəl 
1
a
: devoted to or engaged in for sociability
social events
my social life
2
: of or relating to human society
social institutions
3
a
: tending to form cooperative relationships with others
we are social beings
b
: living or growing by nature in groups or communities
bees are social insects
4
a
: of, relating to, or based on rank in a particular society
not accepted as their social equal
b
: of or relating to fashionable society
a social leader
social
2 of 2 noun
: a friendly gathering usually for a special reason
an ice cream social
Medical Definition
social
adjective
so·cial
ˈsō-shəl
1
a
: tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships with others of one's kind
b
: living and breeding in more or less organized communities
social insects
2
: of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society
immature social behavior
More from Merriam-Webster on social
Nglish: Translation of social for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of social for Arabic Speakers
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