Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

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

social

1 adjective
     
NEW! See related topics: ANIMALSSOCIOLOGY
so‧cial1 S2 W1
1

society

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)
2

rank

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
3

meeting people

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]
5

animals

HBA forming groups or living together in their natural state [≠ solitary]:
Elephants are social animals.
—socially adverb:
socially acceptable behaviour
socially disadvantaged families
➔ antisocial, sociable, unsocial
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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