Definition

1. Noun:
   • An extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization: This is the broadest meaning, referring to a large community of people sharing a common culture, institutions, and territory.
   • A formal association of people with similar interests: A group of individuals who join together for a shared purpose, activity, or hobby.
   • The state of being with someone; companionship: The pleasant experience of being in the company of other people.
   • The fashionable elite: A specific, often exclusive, social class considered to be of high status or fashionable.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Modern society faces many complex challenges. (Referring to the large social group.)
  • She is a member of the local historical society. (Referring to a formal association.)
  • I enjoy the society of intelligent and kind people. (Referring to companionship.)
  • Her name often appears in society pages of the newspaper. (Referring to the fashionable elite.)

Advanced Usage

• "Society at large": The general public or the whole community.
  • This issue affects society at large.
• "A pillar of society": A person or institution that is a very important and respected part of the community.
  • He was regarded as a pillar of society.
• "High society": The wealthy, fashionable, and socially prominent class of people.
  • The event was attended by members of high society.

Variants and Related Words

• Societal (adj): Relating to society or social relations.
  • Poverty is a major societal problem.
• Social (adj): Relating to society or its organization; relating to activities in which people meet for pleasure.
  • We need to improve social services. / She has a busy social life.

Synonyms

• Community: A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
• Association: A group of people organized for a joint purpose.
• Company: The fact or condition of being with another or others, especially in a way that provides friendship and enjoyment.
• Elite: A select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.

Related Phrases

• "Pay one's debt to society": To be punished for a crime, especially by serving a prison sentence.
  • After paying his debt to society, he tried to start a new life.
• "A cross-section of society": A group that is representative of all the different types of people within a society.
  • The jury should be a cross-section of society.

Noun

1. the fashionable elite
2. the state of being with someone
   • he missed their company
   • he enjoyed the society of his friends
3. a formal association of people with similar interests
   • he joined a golf club
   • they formed a small lunch society
   • men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today
4. an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization