English Reference

Word

social

Phoneticsso·cial, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈsoʊʃəɫ/

UK/sˈəʊʃəl/

Definitions

01relating to society

A2 · Elementary

adj. relating to society and the way people live together in a community.

adj. relating to the organization of society and the collective relations between people.

“The government is trying to solve several social problems like poverty and housing.”

“The researcher examined the social implications of urban development on marginalized communities within the city center.”

Usage

Usually placed before the noun.

02outgoing and friendly

B1 · Intermediate

adj. enjoying spending time with other people and being friendly.

adj. inclined to seek out or enjoy the company of others; gregarious.

“She is a very social person who loves going to parties and meeting new people.”

“Even the most social individuals may require periods of solitude to recharge after intense periods of networking.”

Antonyms

unsocialantisocialshy

03social media

B1 · Intermediate Computing

adj. relating to websites and apps that let people share content and talk to each other.

adj. pertaining to digital platforms and networks designed for communal interaction and content sharing.

“Most companies now have a social media strategy to reach younger customers.”

“The rapid evolution of social networking has fundamentally altered how news is disseminated and consumed globally.”

Synonyms

04living in groups

B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Technical

adj. living or growing together in organized groups rather than alone.

adj. living in organized communities or colonies; characterized by mutual cooperation.

“Ants are social insects that work together to build complex nests.”

“The study of social animals provides insight into the evolutionary advantages of altruistic behavior within a species.”

Antonyms

05a party or gathering

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a party or an informal meeting organized by a club or group.

n. a festive gathering or informal party intended to promote communal interaction among members of a group.

“The tennis club is holding a Christmas social for all its members next week.”

“The department organized a monthly social to encourage collaboration between researchers who rarely interacted during the work week.”

06social media account

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Informal

n. a social media account or the name you use on it.

n. a social media profile or handle; often used in the plural to refer to multiple platforms.

“Follow our socials to see the latest photos from the event.”

“The influencer managed several socials simultaneously, ensuring a consistent brand voice across every digital platform.”

07social security number

C1 · Advanced Countable noun American English · Informal

n. a short way of saying your Social Security number.

n. a colloquial ellipsis for a Social Security number, used for identification and tax purposes.

“You need to provide your social to complete the job application.”

“The HR department requested his social to finalize the payroll documentation before his start date.”

Teaching tip

This is very common in American spoken English but should be avoided in formal writing where the full term is preferred.

Synonyms

ID number

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “social” in context.

01. arise social 02. barrier social 03. concurrent social 04. conjunction social 05. constructive social 06. persistent social 07. phenomenological social 08. robust social 09. social activity 10. social anthropology 11. social aspect 12. social background

Etymology

From Middle French social, from Latin sociālis (“of or belonging to a companion or companionship or association, social”), from socius (“a companion, fellow, partner, associate, ally”), from sequor (“follow”). Cognate with English seg (“man, companion, fellow”). More at seg.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Idioms

Domains

BiologyInternet

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference