social

social

I

so‧cial¹ S1 W1 /ˈsəʊʃəl $ ˈsoʊ-/ adjective1.  SOCIETY 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 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 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
   SYN  sociable
5.  ANIMALS forming groups or living together in their natural state
   OPP  solitary:
    Elephants are social animals.
—socially adverb:
    socially acceptable behaviour
    socially disadvantaged families
⇨ antisocial, sociable, unsocial
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 3)

■ nouns
   ▪ somebody's social life (=activities that involve being with other people for pleasure) Teenagers enjoy an active social life.
   ▪ social skills (=the ability to deal with people easily) In school, the children also learn social skills.
   ▪ social graces (=good and polite behaviour towards other people) I had none of the social graces of my fellow pupils.
   ▪ social contact/interaction Work provides social contact.
   ▪ a social call (=one that does not relate to business) Don't misunderstand, this is purely a social call.

II

social² noun1. [countable] a party for the members of a group, club, or church
2. the social British English social security