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Meaning of social in English:

social

Pronunciation /ˈsəʊʃ(ə)l/

See synonyms for social

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adjective

1attributive Relating to society or its organization.
‘alcoholism is recognized as a major social problem’
- ‘the social structure of Europe had become more fluid’
- ‘We should follow his example to meet our needs and social obligations.’
- ‘Yesterday dozens of people attended a street party in Avebury Road, specially designed to break down social barriers.’
- ‘He was also the founder of a number of educational and social organizations.’
- ‘To a certain degree, this can dilute the urge to protest in real life and is therefore useful for social stability.’
- ‘The earliest Bulgarian American political organizations grew out of social need.’
- ‘Architecture has always been a mirror to the social structure of a society.’
- ‘A portion of the money raised will be donated to various civil rights and social organizations.’
- ‘Science as a social endeavor is seen as a collective project for the improvement of social structures.’
- ‘Indeed, the rural exodus changed the social structure of the rural population in the South irrevocably.’
- ‘Very few organizations have completely homogeneous social structures.’
- ‘For centuries, marriage has been a basic element of social organization in societies around the world.’
- ‘The aim is to raise standards in areas with social problems and therefore improve the average across the county.’
- ‘Policymakers are increasingly worried about social fragmentation within local communities.’
- ‘Drawing on the support and resources of the community, known as social capital, is a common theme in these enterprises.’
- ‘His diaries indicated he is aware of the social crises in his community and does something about them.’
- ‘Binge drinking can cause significant health problems for young people and it is now clear it is a major social problem in our communities.’
- ‘We have stated that we support business as long as it retains an ethical outlook with a concern for social responsibility and the community.’
- ‘Devotees believe that, if enough people meditate in a community, social tensions ease and crime rates fall.’
- ‘The Government has a key role to play in helping individuals and communities deal with the social effects of change.’
- ‘Let them hear from you with your ideas on how social and community problems can be tackled.’
communal, community, community-based, collective, group, general, popular, civil, civic, public, societal
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1. 1.1Relating to rank and status in society.
  ‘a recent analysis of social class in Britain’
  ‘her mother is a lady of the highest social standing’
  ‘There is no distinction of class, wealth or social status made during the exercise, and all are treated as equal.’
  ‘The rank and social standing of the subjects of portraiture are also expressed by conventions, which shift with time.’
  ‘For centuries, spouse selection was subject to family status and social standing.’
  ‘Class was defined as the individual's social status based partly on economic factors.’
  ‘With this success has come lots of positions in government, and a new social status for election winners within the party.’
  ‘That was when the presence of imported equipment in the house spelt social status and turned the neighbours green with envy.’
  ‘‘Women are not marrying for social status or financial security any more,’ he said.’
  ‘Statistically, females tend to marry men with a higher social status.’
  ‘Money, social status, talent, opportunity and chance all define the contours of our inequality.’
  ‘Unlike the hereditary peerages of old, knighthoods are not bestowed according to birth or social status.’
  ‘You should feel proud of yourself for not being shallow and liking someone for social status or looks.’
  ‘She said the amount of disposable income people had to spend on fruit and vegetables was related to social status.’
  ‘Furthermore, clocks were a symbol of wealth and social status at that time.’
  ‘It seems that our perceptions of beauty are determined largely by our perceptions of social status.’
  ‘My social status among my friends rocketed as I was the only one with my own television.’
  ‘His elevated social status allowed him to speak out on issues in exactly the way that he saw fit, no matter what the consequences.’
  ‘Previously batik's motifs and colors indicated the social status of the users.’
  ‘Annapolis had a large number of bachelors among those of high social rank.’
  ‘When there is no cash, there is no social mobility and therefore no threat to the status quo.’
  ‘Sending a cool email link to a friend shows you are thinking of them and know what they like, and can therefore increase your social standing.’
2Needing companionship and therefore best suited to living in communities.
‘we are social beings as well as individuals’
- ‘Children become social companions rather than problems, although your wallet needs to be guarded - more than ever.’
- ‘As the primary unit of man's social living, the modern family has to grapple with several problems.’
- ‘One is destined to become a vibrant community with a rich social mix and a youthful population.’
- ‘She began to make friends and become social.’
- ‘He has become social with other children, engages in imaginary play, and has started to potty train!’
1. 2.1Relating to or designed for activities in which people meet each other for pleasure.
  ‘Guy led a full social life’
  ‘staff facilities included a social club and leisure complex’
  ‘She is as sharp as a tack, but excellent company in a social setting.’
  ‘Beverley, a cosmetics factory worker, met Whelby in 1984 at a social club in Skelmersdale.’
  ‘He can be captivating company and, in social circles, very likeable.’
  ‘The committee of Erins Own invites all members of the community to this social night out.’
  ‘She had come bent on changing us, like she often did after social calls in such company.’
  ‘Friday concluded with a social evening in Ballintogher Community Centre.’
  ‘It's always unsettling when friends leave: it creates a huge gap in the community and on the social calendar.’
  ‘Both Miki and I are really sociable people and the thing I missed most was social company.’
  ‘We are at the beginning of a Golden Age of social software, software designed to support the interactions of groups of people.’
  ‘No job was ever too big for Alvina to tackle, and at the end of a long day she still had energy for the social activities she so greatly enjoyed.’
  ‘The Foxford Card Games are a community social event on Tuesday nights and all are welcome.’
  ‘Elizabeth enjoys the social interaction, the companionship and the activities.’
  ‘In other words, weblogs create particular spaces and times in which social activity may, and does, occur.’
  ‘The group arranges social facilities and community support for lonely, mentally and emotionally unwell people.’
  ‘Generations have grown up honing their sporting and social skills at the community games.’
  ‘The March meeting concluded with a social chat and a very nice supper hosted by Mary Delaney and Margaret Collier.’
  ‘A youth shelter is designed to meet the social needs of young people where they can sit and talk.’
  ‘She was a keen card player, and it took her into the community as a social occasion amongst the people she had served all her life.’
  ‘He said the club's social activities have ranged from football to having its own choral society.’
  ‘The Club meets for social tennis every Sunday afternoon and it is hoped to have regular members' sessions at other times.’
  recreational, entertainment, amusement, leisure
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3Zoology
(of a bird) gregarious; breeding or nesting in colonies.
‘Waxwings are social birds and where suitable food supplies are found, flocks of several hundred birds have been recorded here.’
- ‘The African Jacana is another bird that has unique social and mating behaviour.’
- ‘Endemic to the South Island, the kea is a highly intelligent, curious, social, and adaptable bird.’
- ‘Swifts tend to be social species and will feed and roost in large mixed-species flocks.’
- ‘Pigeons and doves can be solitary to very social and can be found in flocks of several thousand.’
gregarious, organized, civilized, interactional
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1. 3.1(of an insect) living together in organized communities, typically with different castes, as ants, bees, wasps, and termites do.
  ‘Common wasps are social insects and live in nests of up to around 10,000 workers.’
  ‘Various models have been presented to account for division of labor in social insects.’
  ‘One of the baffling things about social insects such as ants is how their co-operative behaviour has evolved.’
  ‘Studying more on social insects, he knew that males existed, but were rarely as powerful as the queen.’
  ‘Native social bees visit only male inflorescences in search of pollen and nectar.’
2. 3.2(of a mammal) living together in groups, typically in a hierarchical system with complex communication.
  ‘This should not surprise us - it is, in some degree, a characteristic of most social mammals.’
  ‘You know in that sense obviously we have evolved from social primates.’
  ‘Chimps are social animals and live in groups of up to 80 where food is plentiful.’
  ‘Horses are social animals.’
  ‘Rabbits are intelligent social animals who need affection.’

noun

1An informal social gathering, especially one organized by the members of a particular club or group.
‘a church social’
- ‘Those years are the important ones where my peers learned, at school dances, youth clubs, church socials, parties, etc. all the rules of social interaction and behaviour that passed me right by.’
- ‘Typical chapters enjoy socials that range from informal gatherings to gala affairs.’
- ‘The Anzac Club in Dunedin ran socials for the men in training at the Air Force base at Taieri and the army unit at Taiaroa Heads.’
- ‘Bearden's colorful, innovative collages document jazz performances, church socials, and other elements of black culture from the 1940s though his death in 1988.’
- ‘The late Dr. Cawley was chairman of the Swinford Branch for many years and ensured regular meetings were held and socials organised, as well as the annual church gate collections.’
- ‘Students should attend conferences, events, socials, seminars, and other networking opportunities.’
- ‘The snowshoe club socials also re-created the Beaver Club meetings held in Montreal in the winter season.’
- ‘I'd love going to school discos, parties or Saturday night socials and just dance, dance, dance.’
- ‘He began singing and playing in churches, socials, and fairs all around their hometown in Eastern Kentucky.’
- ‘Others organize socials, dinners, and information sessions and advertise among men who are already active in campus religious groups.’
- ‘Young people meet at funerals, weddings, churches, and school socials.’
- ‘The meetings branched out into socials and cultural events that covered every aspect of members' interests from science to film and cycling clubs.’
- ‘Mainly we played for our own entertainment as well as church socials and cabarets.’
- ‘At parent-teachers meetings, open-houses, and school socials, parents seem to be filled with pride and confidence about the school.’
- ‘Members may go on trips, attend lectures, participate in art tours and attend dinners and socials.’
- ‘According to Haynes, the idea behind the club is, ‘We are always fundraising and having socials for ourselves.’’
- ‘For one of the society's projects-the construction of a music hall-the alumnae raised money with ice cream socials, strawberry festivals, bazaars, and operettas, one of which Zitella directed.’
- ‘In lazy summer days, it is usually time for parades, ice cream socials and county fairs.’
- ‘Clough Hall was a great dancing place in yonder years, and now it is re-opened to some great socials.’
- ‘A number of fundraising socials will be held within the county from now up to Christmas.’
party, gathering, social gathering, social occasion, social event, social function, function, get-together, celebration, reunion, festivity, jamboree, reception, at-home, soirée
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2the socialBritish informal
short for social security
- ‘not everyone's on the social and taking drugs’
- ‘How can they live their entire lives on the social?’