What does "human" mean?
A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).
Human
/ˈhjuː.mən/ adj, name, noun, verb
adj, name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).
- Grammar: human is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: human being, accommodating, adamite, adamitic.
- Useful contrasts: inhuman, nonhuman, unhuman.
- Usage evidence: Freud's insights into human behavior led to him being honored as a profound thinker.
How to use "human"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "human" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "human" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "human" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "human" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "human" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "human being" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "human", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).
"Humans share common ancestors with other apes."
- 2 any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage wordnet
- 3 A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).; A human as contrasted from superficially similar but typically more powerful humanoid creatures; a member of the human race.
"Greetings. I am Blor-Utar from Zimtok-5. I have come to subjugate the human race. Do not resist. Why humans? Because, in addition to their value as slave labor, they are also delicious and nutritious!"
- 4 A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).; A term of address for any human, often implying the listener's species is their only noteworthy trait.
"Greetings, human! You have stumbled into the dimension of the Snow People.[…]Flesh plows clear the streets to make them safe to drive.[…]Does this shock you, human? Do the ways of our world open your eyes to the truths of your own?"
- 5 Any hominid of the genus Homo. broadly
Verb
- 1 To behave as or become, or to cause to behave as or become, a human. rare
"[…] he sought to charm a single pair of ears, and those more hairy than critical. Later, as the race went on humaning, there grew complexity of sentiment and varying emotional needs, […]"
Adjective
- 1 Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives. not-comparable
"Some powers diuine, or els infernall, mixt / Their angry ſeedes at his conception: / For he was neuer ſprong of humaine race, / Since with the ſpirit of his fearefull pride, / He dares so doubtleſly reſolue of rule."
- 2 Having the nature or attributes of a human being. comparable
"To err is human; to forgive, divine."
Adjective
- 1 having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings wordnet
- 2 characteristic of humanity wordnet
- 3 relating to a person wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
- 2 The language supposedly spoken by humans humorous
"Should you identify your language (culture) with human being (nature), you would tend to think that all people should speak Human (English), just as you do. And if they do not, they are either subhuman or nonhuman. This is ethnocentrism again."
- 3 Alternative letter-case form of human used in works that capitalize the names of all sentient species alt-of
"In some instances, Humans have also been called "Earth creatures" and "Earthlings" and a Human male called "Earthman.""
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Freud's insights into human behavior led to him being honored as a profound thinker."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "human"?
Common synonyms include: human being, accommodating, adamite, adamitic, affectionate, android.
How do you use "human" in a sentence?
Freud's insights into human behavior led to him being honored as a profound thinker.
How do you pronounce "human"?
Pronounced /ˈhjuː.mən/.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mon-der. Latin hūmānus Old French umain Middle French humainbor. Middle English humayne English human From Late Middle English humaigne, humayne, humain, from Middle French humain, from Old French humain, umain (“of or belonging to man”, adjective), from Latin hūmānus m (“of man, human”, adjective); see there for further details. Spelling human has been predominant since the early 18th century. Compare man.