What does "people" mean?
plural of person: a body of persons considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
People
/ˈpi.pəl/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: plural of person: a body of persons considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
- Grammar: people is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: masses, agnate, ancestors, ancestry.
- Useful contrasts: authorities, depopulate, empty.
- Usage evidence: I may be antisocial, but it doesn't mean I don't talk to people.
How to use "people"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "people" 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 "people" 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 "people" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "people" 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 "people" is acting as noun, verb, slang 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 "masses" 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 "people", 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 plural of person: a body of persons considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons. countable, form-of, plural, uncountable
"There were so many people at the restaurant last night."
- 2 (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively wordnet
- 3 Persons forming or belonging to a particular group, such as a nation, class, ethnic group, country, family, etc. collective, countable
"a people apart"
- 4 members of a family line wordnet
- 5 A group of persons regarded as being servants, followers, companions or subjects of a ruler or leader. countable, uncountable
"Moses said, "Let my people go.""
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 the body of citizens of a state or country wordnet
- 7 One's colleagues or employees. countable, uncountable
"I'll have my people call your people."
- 8 the common people generally wordnet
- 9 A person's ancestors, relatives or family. countable, uncountable
"My people lived through the Black Plague and the Thirty Years War."
- 10 The mass of a community as distinguished from a special class (elite); the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; the citizens. countable, uncountable
"The people have successfully stood up against tyranny and totalitarianism."
- 11 People in general, humans, by extension sentient beings real or fictional. countable, uncountable
"People don't like it when you tweak their noses."
Verb
- 1 To interact with people; to socialize. informal, rare
"I don't people well.” “Not peopling well is a crap excuse,” I retorted, and started to step around him, but a sudden thought occurred to me."
- 2 To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate. transitive
"He would not be alone, who all things can; / But peopled Heav'n with Angels, Earth with Man."
- 3 fill with people wordnet
- 4 To become populous or populated. intransitive
- 5 furnish with people wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 To inhabit; to occupy; to populate. transitive
"[…] / As thick and numberless / As the gay motes that people the Sun Beams, / […]"
Antonyms
Example
"I may be antisocial, but it doesn't mean I don't talk to people."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "people"?
Common synonyms include: masses, agnate, ancestors, ancestry, anchor, animal kingdom.
How do you use "people" in a sentence?
I may be antisocial, but it doesn't mean I don't talk to people.
How do you pronounce "people"?
Pronounced /ˈpi.pəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English puple, peple, peeple, from Anglo-Norman people, from Old French pueple, peuple, pople, from Latin populus (“a people, nation”), from Old Latin populus, from earlier poplus, from even earlier poplos, from Proto-Italic *poplos (“army”) of unknown origin. Doublet of pueblo. Gradually ousted native English lede and, partially, folk. Originally used with singular verbs (e.g. "the people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness" in the King James Version of 2 Samuel 17:29), the plural aspect of people is probably due to influence from Middle English lede, leed, a plural since Old English times; see lēode.
Etymology 2
From Middle English peplen, peuplien, partly from Middle French peupler (from peuple (“people”)) and partly from the noun (etymology 1).