# social

/ˈsoʊʃəɫ/ (US) · /sˈəʊʃəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. relating to society

adjective · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. outgoing and friendly

adjective · CEFR B1

enjoying spending time with other people and being friendly.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. social media

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. living in groups

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

living or growing together in organized groups rather than alone.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. a party or gathering

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 6. social media account

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 7. social security number

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

a short way of saying your Social Security number.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The office is having a social this Friday evening.
- The university hiking club organises a monthly social to help new members get to know each other.
- While the department's annual social remains a staple of the calendar, many younger employees prefer to engage through the company's internal socials rather than attending in person.

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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.