# humanity

/hjuˈmænɪti/ (US) · /hjuːmˈænɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/humanity
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. humankind

noun · CEFR B2

all people in the world as a single group.

For teachers: the human race or species considered collectively. Uncountable in this sense.

- The future of humanity depends on how we treat our planet today.
- The philosopher argued that the survival of humanity requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive our relationship with the natural world.

### 2. kindness

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being kind, caring, and sympathetic toward others.

For teachers: the quality of being benevolent or showing compassion toward others. Often used to describe ethical behaviour in difficult situations.

- The doctor treated all his patients with great humanity and respect.
- Even in the midst of the conflict, there were remarkable acts of humanity that transcended political divisions.

### 3. human nature

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the state or quality of being a human being.

For teachers: the condition or essential nature of being human, including both strengths and flaws.

- The book explores the dark side of humanity through its complex characters.
- The play examines the fragility of our common humanity when faced with extreme isolation and fear.

### 4. academic subjects

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

subjects of study that focus on human culture, such as history, literature, and philosophy.

For teachers: the branches of learning concerned with human culture; usually used in the plural form 'the humanities'.

- She decided to study the humanities because she loved reading and history.
- The university is increasing its funding for the humanities to encourage more students to engage with classical literature and ethics.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'the humanities' when referring to academic departments.

## Examples

- We must work together for the good of all humanity.
- The doctor showed great humanity when she stayed late to comfort the grieving family.
- The philosopher argued that our shared humanity should transcend national borders and political ideologies, fostering a global sense of empathy and cooperation.

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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.