social
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- communal, collective, common, community, general, group, public
[noun]
Synonyms:
- get-together (informal), gathering, party

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Antonyms: unsociable, unsocial, nonsocial
Contrasted words: inimicable, inimical, unfriendly, unhospitable, eremitic, solitary, unsociable, antisocial, asocial, unsocial, remote, withdrawn
Related Words: amusing, entertaining, pleasant, pleasurable, cordial, friendly, genial, gracious, hospitable, social-minded, intersocial

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. so‧cial¹ S1 W1 /ˈsəʊʃəl $ ˈsoʊ-/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: society, sociologist, sociology, sociability, social, socialism, socialist, socialite, socialization, sociopath; adjective: sociable ≠ unsociable, social ≠ ANTI-SOCIAL, unsocial, socialist, socialistic, societal, sociological, sociopathic; adverb: socially, sociably, sociologically; verb: socialize]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: socialis, from socius 'someone you spend time with']

1. SOCIETY relating to human society and its organization, or the quality of people’s lives:
social issues, such as unemployment and education
the country’s serious social problems
a challenge to the social order (=how a particular society is organized)

2. RANK relating to your position in society, according to your job, family, wealth etc:
The students come from a variety of social classes (=groups of people that have the same social position).
the social status of her family

3. MEETING PEOPLE relating to meeting people, forming relationships with them, and spending time with them:
social interaction
a club with lots of social events
Exercise classes are a good way to keep fit and improve your social life.
Group play helps children develop social skills (=ability to deal with people easily).
He lacked social graces (=good and polite behaviour towards other people).

4. someone who is social enjoys meeting and talking to other people Synonym : sociable

5. ANIMALS forming groups or living together in their natural state Antonym : solitary:
Elephants are social animals.
—socially adverb:
socially acceptable behaviour
socially disadvantaged families
⇒ antisocial, sociable, unsocial

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. social² noun
[Word Family: noun: society, sociologist, sociology, sociability, social, socialism, socialist, socialite, socialization, sociopath; adjective: sociable ≠ unsociable, social ≠ ANTI-SOCIAL, unsocial, socialist, socialistic, societal, sociological, sociopathic; adverb: socially, sociably, sociologically; verb: socialize]

1. [countable] a party for the members of a group, club, or church

2. the social British English social security

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

social

somebody's social life (=activities that involve being with other people for pleasure)
Teenagers enjoy an active social life.
social skills (=the ability to deal with people easily)
In school, the children also learn social skills.
social graces (=good and polite behaviour towards other people)
I had none of the social graces of my fellow pupils.
social contact/interaction
Work provides social contact.
a social call (=one that does not relate to business)
Don't misunderstand, this is purely a social call.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

social
adjective
1.
BAD: The next election was won by the Social Party.
GOOD: The next election was won by the Socialist Party.

Usage Note:
social = connected with (life in a) society: 'Government attempts to tackle two of today's most serious social problems - crime and unemployment - have had no effect.'
socialist = connected with socialism (the political system that favours equality of opportunity and public as opposed to private ownership): 'Why is it that so many of these so-called socialists send their children to fee-paying schools?'

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2.
BAD: Our new neighbours are not very social.
GOOD: Our new neighbours are not very sociable.

Usage Note:
A person who enjoys meeting and being with other people is sociable : 'You'll like John - he's very sociable and easy to get on with.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲