social

Topic: SOCIOLOGY

Date:	1600-1700
Language:	Latin
Origin:	socialis, from socius 'someone you spend time with'

social
1 adjective

so‧cial1 S2 W1 See pronunciation table in "How to use dictionary" pages

SS relating to human society and its organization, or the quality of people's lives:

social issues, such as unemployment and education

the country's serious social problems

a challenge to the social order (=how a particular society is organized)

SS relating to your position in society, according to your job, family, wealth etc:

The students come from a variety of social classes (=groups of people that have the same social position).

the social status of her family

SS relating to meeting people, forming relationships with them, and spending time with them:

social interaction

a club with lots of social events

Exercise classes are a good way to keep fit and improve your social life.

Group play helps children develop social skills (=ability to deal with people easily).

He lacked social graces (=good and polite behaviour towards other people).

4 someone who is social enjoys meeting and talking to other people [= sociable]

HBA forming groups or living together in their natural state [≠ solitary]:

—socially adverb:

socially acceptable behaviour

socially disadvantaged families

Definition of social from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic SOCIOLOGY