Society is people in general, thought of as a large organized group.
This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.
He maintains Islam must adapt to modern society.
Synonyms: the community, social order, people, the public More Synonyms of society
2. variable noun
A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
We live in a capitalist society.
...the impact of advertising on the moral fabric of our society.
...the complexities of South African society.
Synonyms: culture, community, population More Synonyms of society
3. countable noun
A society is an organization for people who have the same interest or aim.
...the North of England Horticultural Society.
...the historical society.
Synonyms: organization, group, club, union More Synonyms of society
4. uncountable noun [oft NOUN noun]
Society is the rich, fashionable people in a particular place who meet on social occasions.
The couple quickly became a fixture of society pages.
...the high season for society weddings.
5. See also building society
More Synonyms of society
society in British English
(səˈsaɪətɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
1.
the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals
2.
a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members
3.
such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant class
middle-class society
4.
those with whom one has companionship
5.
an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interest
a learned society
6.
a.
the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable
b.
(as modifier)
a society woman
7.
the social life and intercourse of such people
to enter society as a debutante
8.
companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone else
I enjoy her society
9. ecology
a small community of plants within a larger association
Word origin
C16: via Old French societé from Latin societās, from socius a comrade
society in American English
(səˈsaɪəti)
nounWord forms: pluralsoˈcieties
1.
a group of persons regarded as forming a single community, esp. as forming a distinct social or economic class
2.
the system or condition of living together as a community in such a group
an agrarian society
3.
all people, collectively, regarded as constituting a community of related, interdependent individuals
a law for the good of society
4.
company or companionship
to seek another's society
5.
one's friends or associates
6.
any organized group of people joined together because of work, interests, etc. in common
a medical society
7.
a.
a group of persons regarded or regarding itself as a dominant class, usually becauseof wealth, birth, education, etc.
her debut into society
b.
the conduct, standards, activities, etc. of this class
8.
a group of animals or plants living together in a single environment and regarded as constituting a homogeneous unit or entity
adjective
9.
of or characteristic of society (sense 7) society (sense 7a)
the society page of a newspaper
Word origin
MFr société < L societas < socius, companion: see social
COBUILD Collocations
society
fair society
free society
multicultural society
tolerant society
Examples of 'society' in a sentence
society
It also highlights meticulously the paradoxes of modern government and society in general.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
There must be more to high society than horses and house parties.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The biggest danger to human society comes from civil servants in an environment like this.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The programme is incredibly successful at improving the life chances of the most vulnerable group in society.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The second theme is stronger families and a more responsible society.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And they cost less to the health system and society.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Publicly arguing matters of interest to society.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Some people say judge a society by the way it treats its women.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
How can the cost to society of this particular case possibly outweigh the benefits?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The most straightforward are deposit accounts with banks and building societies.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The whole idea that society must be recruited to this project is over.
Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)
The pluralist society of organizations will be no exception.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
How can it be good for society to stop people getting married?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Is it modern society that drives people to hurt each other?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Hence capitalism and society in general need more regulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This constant hammering home of the message that mutuals are different is finally paying off for the building society.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In almost all societies, the life expectancy at birth is longer for females than for males.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
The data lost by Skipton does not include bank or building society account details.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The students' union claims to have the largest selection of clubs and societies in the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Co-operative societies: usually "owned" in some way by consumers.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
Quotations
Human life in common is only made possible when a majority comes together which is stronger than any separate individual and which remains united against all separate individualsSigmund FreudCivilization and its Discontents
Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have fewer rights than he had before, but to have those rights better securedThomas PaineThe Rights of Man
There is no such thing as societyMargaret Thatcher
He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a godAristotlePolitics
In other languages
society
British English: society /səˈsaɪətɪ/ NOUN
Society consists of all the people in a country or region, considered as a group.
These are common problems in today's society.
American English: society
Arabic: مُجْتَمَع
Brazilian Portuguese: sociedade
Chinese: 社会
Croatian: društvo
Czech: společnost
Danish: samfund
Dutch: maatschappij
European Spanish: sociedad
Finnish: yhteiskunta
French: société
German: Gesellschaft
Greek: κοινωνία
Italian: società
Japanese: 社会
Korean: 사회 지역사회
Norwegian: samfunn
Polish: społeczeństwo
European Portuguese: sociedade
Romanian: societate
Russian: общество
Latin American Spanish: sociedad
Swedish: samhälle
Thai: สังคม
Turkish: toplum
Ukrainian: суспільство
Vietnamese: xã hội
All related terms of 'society'
big society
the devolution of political power and social responsibility to local communities as opposed to centralized political power and state control
Law Society
(in England or Scotland) the professional body of solicitors , established in 1825 and entrusted with the registration of solicitors (requiring the passing of certain examinations ) and the regulation of professional conduct
café society
people, esp intellectuals and artists who meet in cafés
civic society
an organization founded to promote the interests of a local community
civil society
the organizations within a society that work to promote the common good, usually taken to include state-run institutions , families, charities , and community groups
class society
a society in which class distinctions are influential
fair society
A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
free society
A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
high society
You can use high society to refer to people who come from rich and important families.
honor society
a society that high-achieving students are invited to join
mass society
a society whose members are characterized by having segmentalized, impersonal relations , a high degree of physical and social mobility , a spectator relation to events, and a pronounced tendency to conform to external popular norms
oral society
a society that has not developed literacy
Royal Society
an association founded in England by Charles II in 1660 to promote research in the sciences
amenity society
a voluntary society established with the purpose of preserving historic art and architecture
Audubon Society
a North American organization devoted to the conservancy of birds
benefit society
an organization which, by means of dues , secures for its members certain benefits , such as life insurance , hospitalization, etc.
broken society
a perceived or apparent general decline in moral values
choral society
an organization of amateur singers
Dorcas society
a Christian charitable society for women with the aim of providing clothes for poor people
Fabian Society
an association of British socialists advocating the establishment of democratic socialism by gradual reforms within the law: founded in 1884
humane society
an organization for promotion of humane ideals , esp in dealing with animals
learned society
an organization devoted to the scholarly study of a particular field or discipline , as modern languages, psychology , or history
mutual society
a financial organization, esp a building society , in which the policyholders share the profits and expenses and there are no shareholders
Plunket Society
the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children
polite society
You can refer to people who consider themselves to be socially superior and to set standards of behaviour for everyone else as polite society or polite company.
secret society
a society or organization that conceals its rites , activities, etc, from those who are not members
society column
a column in a newspaper or magazine that details the activities of members of fashionable society
Society Islands
a group of islands in the S Pacific : administratively part of French Polynesia ; consists of the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands; became a French protectorate in 1843 and a colony in 1880. Pop: 214 445 (2002). Area: 1595 sq km (616 sq miles)
Tammany Society
a benevolent society founded in 1789, which later became Tammany Hall , the central organization of the Democratic Party in New York county
affluent society
a society in which the material benefits of prosperity are widely available
building society
In Britain , a building society is a business which will lend you money when you want to buy a house. You can also invest money in a building society, where it will earn interest . Compare → savings and loan association .
cashless society
a society in which purchases of goods or services are made by credit card or electronic funds transferral rather than with cash or checks
chartered society
a society that has an official charter
classless society
a society in which class distinctions are negligible or absent
consumer society
You can use consumer society to refer to a society where people think that spending money on goods and services is very important .
debating society
a club , e. g . at a school or university , which regularly holds debates
dramatic society
an amateur dramatics club
friendly society
A friendly society is an organization to which people regularly pay small amounts of money and which then gives them money when they retire or when they are ill .
provident society
an association of people who pay regular dues or other sums in return for old-age pensions , sickness benefits , etc
repertory society
a group that supports amateur performances of plays by its members
throwaway society
→ the throwaway society
tolerant society
A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
alternative society
a society or social group that espouses values different from those of the established social order
cooperative society
a commercial enterprise owned and managed by and for the benefit of customers or workers
John Birch Society
a fanatical right-wing association organized along semisecret lines to fight Communism
multicultural society
A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
mutual aid society
A mutual aid society is an organization that provides benefits or other help to its members when they are affected by things such as death, sickness , disability , old age, or unemployment .
preservation society
a society dedicated to the preservation of something, esp a building, environment , or animal
Red Cross Society
an international humanitarian organization ( Red Cross Society ) formally established by the Geneva Convention of 1864. It was originally limited to providing medical care for war casualties , but its services now include liaison between prisoners of war and their families, relief to victims of natural disasters , etc
Society of Friends
a Christian denomination , founded in England c. 1650 by George Fox , that has no formal creed , liturgy , or priesthood and rejects violence in human relations, esp. warfare
Chinese translation of 'society'
society
(səˈsaɪətɪ)
n
(u) (= people in general) 社会(會) (shèhuì)
⇒ Women must have equal status in society.妇女在社会上必须有平等的地位。 (Fùnǚ zài shèhuì shang bìxū yǒu píngděng de dìwèi.)
(c/u) (= community) 社会(會) (shèhuì)
⇒ a multi-racial society多种族社会 (duō zhǒngzú shèhuì)
(c) (= club) 社团(團) (shètuán)
⇒ the local film society当地影视协会 (dāngdì yǐngshì xiéhuì)
cpd
[wedding]社交界 (shèjiāojiè)
1 (noun)
Definition
human beings considered as a group
This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.
Synonyms
the community
social order
people
the public
the population
humanity
They face charges of committing crimes against humanity.
civilization
He believed Western civilization was in grave economic and cultural danger.
humankind
mankind
the evolution of mankind
the general public
the world at large
2 (noun)
Definition
a group of people forming a single community with its own distinctive culture and institutions
those responsible for destroying our society
Synonyms
culture
people of different cultures
community
He's well liked by the local community.
population
a country with a population of 100 million people
3 (noun)
Definition
an organized group of people sharing a common aim or interest
the historical society
Synonyms
organization
Most of the funds are provided by voluntary organizations.
group
Members of an environmental group are staging a protest inside a chemical plant.
club
He was a member of the local youth club.
union
the question of which countries should join the currency union
league
the League of Nations
association
the British Olympic Association
institute
a research institute devoted to software programming
circle
a small circle of friends
corporation
chairperson of a huge multi-national corporation
guild
the Writers' Guild of America
fellowship
the National Youth Fellowship
fraternity (US, Canadian)
He joined a college fraternity.
brotherhood or sisterhood
4 (noun)
Definition
the rich and fashionable class of society collectively
The couple tried to secure themselves a position in society.
Synonyms
upper classes
gentry
Most of the country estates were built by the landed gentry during the 19th century.
upper crust (informal)
elite
a government comprised mainly of the elite
the swells (informal)
high society
the top drawer
polite society
the toffs (British, slang)
the smart set
beau monde
the nobs (slang)
the country set
haut monde (French)
5 (noun)
Definition
companionship
(old-fashioned)
I largely withdrew from the society of others.
Synonyms
companionship
He missed the companionship of friends of his own age.
company
I would be grateful for your company on the drive back.
fellowship
a sense of community and fellowship
friendship
He really values your friendship.
camaraderie
I missed the camaraderie of army life.
Quotations
Human life in common is only made possible when a majority comes together which is stronger than any separate individual and which remains united against all separate individuals [Sigmund Freud – Civilization and its Discontents]Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have fewer rights than he had before, but to have those rights better secured [Thomas Paine – The Rights of Man]There is no such thing as society [Margaret Thatcher]He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god [Aristotle – Politics]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of association
Definition
a group of people with a common interest
the British Olympic Association
Synonyms
group,
company,
club,
order,
union,
class,
society,
league,
band,
set,
troop,
pack,
camp,
collection,
gathering,
organization,
circle,
corporation,
alliance,
coalition,
partnership,
federation,
bunch (informal),
formation,
faction,
cluster,
syndicate,
congregation,
batch,
confederation,
cooperative,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
affiliation,
posse (slang),
clique,
confederacy,
assemblage,
social network
in the sense of camaraderie
Definition
familiarity and trust between friends
I missed the camaraderie of army life.
Synonyms
comradeship,
fellowship,
brotherhood,
companionship,
togetherness,
esprit de corps,
good-fellowship,
brotherliness,
companionability
in the sense of circle
Definition
a group of people sharing an interest, activity, or upbringing
a small circle of friends
Synonyms
group,
company,
set,
school,
club,
order,
class,
society,
crowd,
assembly,
fellowship,
fraternity,
clique,
coterie
Synonyms of 'society'
society
Explore 'society' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of civilization
Definition
a human society that has a complex cultural, political, and legal organization
He believed Western civilization was in grave economic and cultural danger.
Synonyms
society,
people,
community,
nation,
polity
in the sense of club
Definition
a group or association of people with common aims or interests
He was a member of the local youth club.
Synonyms
association,
company,
group,
union,
society,
circle,
lodge,
guild,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
set,
order,
sodality
in the sense of community
Definition
the public
He's well liked by the local community.
Synonyms
society,
people,
public,
association,
population,
residents,
commonwealth,
general public,
populace,
body politic,
state,
company
in the sense of company
Definition
the fact of being with someone
I would be grateful for your company on the drive back.
Synonyms
companionship,
society (old-fashioned),
presence,
fellowship
in the sense of corporation
Definition
a large business or company
chairperson of a huge multi-national corporation
Synonyms
business,
company,
concern,
firm,
society,
association,
organization,
enterprise,
establishment,
corporate body
in the sense of elite
Definition
the most powerful, rich, or gifted members of a group or community
a government comprised mainly of the elite
Synonyms
aristocracy,
best,
pick,
elect,
cream,
upper class,
nobility,
gentry,
high society,
the crème de la crème,
flower,
nonpareil
in the sense of fellowship
Definition
companionship or friendship
the National Youth Fellowship
Synonyms
society,
club,
league,
association,
organization,
guild,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
brotherhood,
sisterhood,
order,
sodality
in the sense of fellowship
Definition
the state of sharing mutual interests or activities
a sense of community and fellowship
Synonyms
camaraderie,
intimacy,
communion,
familiarity,
brotherhood,
companionship,
sociability,
amity (formal),
kindliness,
fraternization,
companionability,
intercourse (formal)
in the sense of fraternity
Definition
a body of people united in interests, aims, etc.
He joined a college fraternity.
Synonyms
brotherhood,
club,
union,
society,
league,
association,
sodality
in the sense of friendship
He really values your friendship.
Synonyms
closeness,
love,
regard,
affection,
intimacy,
fondness,
companionship,
comradeship
Additional synonyms
in the sense of gentry
Definition
people just below the nobility in social rank
Most of the country estates were built by the landed gentry during the 19th century.
Synonyms
nobility,
lords,
elite,
nobles,
upper class,
aristocracy,
peerage,
ruling class,
patricians,
upper crust (informal),
gentility,
gentlefolk
in the sense of group
Definition
an association of business firms that have the same owner
Members of an environmental group are staging a protest inside a chemical plant.
Synonyms
organization,
body,
association,
league,
circle
in the sense of guild
Definition
an organization or club for people with shared interests
the Writers' Guild of America
Synonyms
society,
union,
league,
association,
company,
club,
order,
organization,
corporation,
lodge,
fellowship,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
brotherhood
in the sense of humanity
Definition
the human race
They face charges of committing crimes against humanity.
Synonyms
the human race,
humankind,
mankind,
man,
men,
men and women,
people,
mortals,
Homo sapiens
in the sense of institute
Definition
an organization set up for a specific purpose, especially research or teaching
a research institute devoted to software programming
Synonyms
establishment,
body,
centre,
school,
university,
society,
association,
college,
institution,
organization,
foundation,
academy,
guild,
conservatory,
fellowship,
seminary,
seat of learning
in the sense of league
Definition
an association of people or nations formed to promote the interests of its members
the League of Nations
Synonyms
association,
union,
alliance,
coalition,
group,
order,
band,
corporation,
combination,
partnership,
federation,
compact,
consortium,
guild,
confederation,
fellowship,
fraternity (US, Canadian),
confederacy
in the sense of mankind
Definition
human beings collectively
the evolution of mankind
Synonyms
people,
man,
humanity,
human race,
humankind,
Homo sapiens
in the sense of population
Definition
all the inhabitants of a place
a country with a population of 100 million people
Synonyms
inhabitants,
people,
community,
society,
residents,
natives,
folk,
occupants,
populace,
denizens,
citizenry
in the sense of union
Definition
an association of individuals or groups for a common purpose
the question of which countries should join the currency union