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social

so·cial [ sṓshəl ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. relating to society: relating to human society and how it is organized

2. relating to interaction of people: relating to the way in which people in groups behave and interact
the social sciences

3. living in a community: living or preferring to live as part of a community or colony rather than alone
social insects such as ants

4. offering opportunity for interaction: allowing people to meet and interact with others in a friendly way
a social club

5. relating to human welfare: relating to human welfare and the organized welfare services that a community provides
social services

6. of rank in society: relating to or considered appropriate to a rank in society, especially the upper classes

7. sociable: tending to seek out the company of others ( informal )
a very social person

8. growing in clumps: describes plants that grow in clumps or masses



noun  (plural so·cials)
Definition:
 
informal get-together: an informal gathering or party, usually of a particular group of people who meet regularly

[Mid-17th century. Via French< Latin socialis< socius "companion"]

so·cial·ly adverb

Word Usage

See sociable.


The word social, as in Social Security, is correctly pronounced /sṓshəl, /. The now widely used pronunciation /sṓsəl, /, in which the "sh" sound becomes "s," is regarded as incorrect, even though it can be associated with some regional U.S. speech patterns.

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