DictionaryAI

society

noun
suh-SY-uh-tee/səˈsaɪ.ə.ti/

Pluralsocieties (some meanings)

5 meanings of society

Practice

  1. 1
    people in generalnoununcountable
    People in general, considered as a whole and as living together in an organized community.

    Many argue that society as a whole benefits when education is free.

    These reforms aim to make society fairer for everyone.

    UsageFor people in general, usually no the: society as a whole, in society (not incorrect: in the society).

    Similarcommunity

  2. 2
    clubnouncountable
    An organized group of people who join together for a shared interest or purpose, such as a club or association.

    The local historical society organizes lectures throughout the year.

    Members of the choral society rehearse twice a week.

    UsageThe interest often comes first: a drama society, a historical society. In a name it takes a capital.

    Note

    The clubroom meaning sits close to club and association. Walter Besant's The Ivory Gate (1892) pairs them outright: "a club, or society" for a tavern's select circle.

  3. 3
    cultural groupnouncountable
    A long-standing group of people who share cultural features such as language, dress, behavior, and artistic traditions.

    Japanese society places great value on politeness and respect for elders.

    Anthropologists study how different societies organize family and work life.

    UsageHere it can take a or a plural: a modern society, ancient societies.

    Similarculture, civilization

  4. 4
    upper classnoununcountable
    The most fashionable and wealthy people of a community, regarded as a social class.

    Her debut ball marked her formal entrance into society.

    The painter became a favorite of society, capturing the wealthy elite in portraits.

    UsageOften high society, usually with no the: someone is introduced to (or into) society.

    Similarelite

    Note

    The drawing-room sense appears in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813) when Sir William Lucas speaks of "superior society."

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    companynounformaluncountable
    Companionship with other people, or the condition of being in their company as a friend or companion.

    He had grown so used to solitude that he no longer sought the society of others.

    Through the long winter evenings, the widow took comfort in the society of a few close neighbors.

    UsageUsually the society of someone; in everyday speech, company is the usual word.

    Similarcompany, companionship

    Oppositesolitude, isolation

Practice

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Origin

This word came into English around the 1530s from Middle and Old French "societé," which came from Latin "societas" ("fellowship, association, alliance, community"). That in turn came from "socius" ("partner, companion, ally"), traced back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "companion," from a root meaning "to follow."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 7 facts