# anthropogenic

/ˌænθɹəpəˈdʒɛnɪk/ (US) · /ˌænθɹəpəʊdʒˈɛnɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anthropogenic
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

caused by human activity. You use this to describe things like pollution, climate change, or deforestation that people have created.

For teachers: relating to or resulting from human activity. Typically used in scientific or environmental contexts to distinguish human-caused changes from natural processes.

## Examples

- The rise in global temperatures is largely anthropogenic.
- Scientists are studying how anthropogenic noise in the ocean affects the communication of whales and dolphins.
- The conference focused on mitigating anthropogenic carbon emissions, recognizing that industrial expansion and urbanization have significantly altered the planet's atmospheric composition over the last century.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.