# societal

/səˈsaɪɪtəɫ/ (US) · /səsˈaɪətəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/societal
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

relating to the way a whole society or large group of people is organized. It describes things that affect everyone in a community rather than just one person.

For teachers: relating to society or social relations. Often describes large-scale trends, pressures, or structures that influence the collective behavior of a population.

## Examples

- The country is facing major societal changes.
- Researchers are studying the societal impact of social media on young people's mental health.
- The shift toward remote work has triggered a profound societal debate regarding the necessity of physical office spaces and the future of urban planning.

## Pitfalls

- Not "socially changes" but "societal changes" — Learners often use the adverb 'socially' or the adjective 'social' when 'societal' is required to describe things belonging to the structure of society itself.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in formal or academic contexts to describe broad social phenomena; usually precedes the noun it modifies.

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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.