social

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   marked by friendly companionship with others

   a social cup of coffee

2. 2
   adj

   living together or enjoying life in communities or organized groups

   a human being is a social animal

3. 3
   adj

   tending to move or live together in groups or colonies of the same kind

   ants are social insects

4. 4
   adj

   composed of sociable people or formed for the purpose of sociability

   a purely social club

5. 5
   adj

   relating to human society and its members

   social institutions

6. 6
   adj

   relating to or belonging to or characteristic of high society

   We made fun of their being so social and high-toned.

7. 7
   adj

   Being extroverted or outgoing.

   James is a very social guy; he knows lots of people.

8. 8
   adj

   Of or relating to society.

   Phoenix and Lubbock are both caught in severe drought, and it is going to get much worse. We may see many such [dust] storms in the decades ahead, along with species extinctions, radical disturbance of ecosystems, and intensified social conflict over land and water. Welcome to the Anthropocene, the epoch when humans have become a major geological and climatic force.

Etymology

From Middle French social, from Latin sociālis (“of or belonging to a companion or companionship or association, social”), from socius (“a companion, fellow, partner, associate, ally”), from sequor (“follow”). Cognate with English seg (“man, companion, fellow”). More at seg.