social

SaySOH-shuhl/ˈsoʊ.ʃəl/UK/ˈsəʊ.ʃəl/

Noun pluralsocials (some meanings)

12 meanings of social

1
human societyadjective
Connected with people and how they live together in groups.
Like the rules and habits that hold a group of friends together.
The mayor spoke about social problems like poverty and crime.
Schools help children learn important social skills.
UsageOften in social skills and social problems.
Similarsocietal
2
online networksadjective
Connected with online sites where people share posts and chat.
Like a noticeboard online where everyone can post and reply.
Our company uses social posts to reach younger customers.
She manages the brand's social campaigns online.
UsageOften in social posts. Saying social media is often clearer.
Note
3
enjoys peopleadjective
Liking to be with other people and enjoying their company.
Like a bee that always wants to be near the others in the hive.
She has always been social, chatting easily with strangers.
Their new roommate turned out to be friendly and social.
UsageSay be social with people. Sociable means almost the same.
Similarsociable, outgoing, gregarious, friendly, extroverted
Oppositeunsociable, shy, introverted, reserved
Note
4
media platformsnouncolloquialuncountableabbreviationellipsis
Short form of social media: apps and websites where people share posts and photos.
Our brand gets most of its sales from social these days.
She spends too much time scrolling on social.
UsageSay post to social or see it on social.
Note
5
welfarenouncolloquialBritishcountable or uncountablewith theabbreviationellipsis
Short for social security: government money for people who need support, or the office where they claim it.
After losing her job, she had to go on the social for a while.
She went down to the social to sort out her benefits.
UsageSay on the social for living on benefits.
Note

Less common meanings

6
partynouncountable or uncountable
A party that a club, church, or company holds so people can meet and have a good time.
Like the first day at a new school where everyone says hello.
The club held a social so new members could meet everyone.
We met at a neighborhood social last summer.
UsageSay a church social or a club social.
Similargathering, party, get-together, mixer, function
7
ID numbernouncolloquialUScountable or uncountableabbreviationellipsis
Short for social security number: the nine-digit number the US government uses to identify a person for taxes and benefits.
The clerk asked me for my social before opening the account.
Never share your social with someone you don't trust.
UsageSay your social. In formal writing, use the full phrase Social Security number.
Note
8
online accountnouncolloquialcountable
An account on a social media site, or its username or link.
Like giving someone your phone number, but for following you online.
Drop your social in the comments so I can follow you.
He listed all his socials on his business card.
UsageUsually socials: follow my socials.
Similarhandle, profile, account
Note
9
living in groupsadjective
Living or growing together in groups instead of alone.
Like people who live in a big family and share all the work.
Ants are social insects that live in large colonies.
Elephants are social animals, and the herd looks after every baby.
UsageSay social insects. The opposite is solitary.
Similargregarious
Oppositesolitary
Note
10
school subjectnounCanadacountable or uncountableabbreviationellipsis
Short form of social studies: a school class about history, places, and how people live together.
We have social right after lunch every day.
She got an A in social this semester.
UsageSay I have social next, like I have math next.
Note
11
fundraising dancenoundialectalCanadian Prairiescountable or uncountable
A dance held to raise money, often to help a couple pay for their wedding.
Like passing around a hat at a party, but with music and dancing.
They threw a social to help pay for the wedding.
Their friends held a social to raise money for the wedding.
Note
12
adjectiverare
Connected with the friends or partners that a country fights alongside.
Similarallied, confederate
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin sociālis, meaning belonging to a companion or association, from socius meaning companion or partner. It came into English through Middle French social.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

English social ultimately comes from Latin sociālis through Middle French social. en.wiktionary.org
Latin sociālis means belonging to a companion or association. en.wiktionary.org
Latin sociālis derives from socius. en.wiktionary.org
Latin socius means companion or partner. en.wiktionary.org