/ ˈsəʊʃl; NAmE ˈsoʊʃl/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
CONNECTED WITH SOCIETY
1.
[ only before noun ] connected with society and the way it is organized :
social issues / problems / reforms
a call for social and economic change
2.
[ only before noun ] connected with your position in society :
social class / background
social advancement (= improving your position in society)
ACTIVITIES WITH OTHERS
3.
[ only before noun ] connected with activities in which people meet each other for pleasure :
a busy social life
Team sports help to develop a child's social skills (= the ability to talk easily to other people and do things in a group) .
Social events and training days are arranged for all the staff.
Join a social club to make new friends.
ANIMALS
4.
[ only before noun ] ( technical ) living naturally in groups, rather than alone
FRIENDLY
5.
= sociable
► so·cial·ly / -ʃəli; NAmE / adverb :
The reforms will bring benefits, socially and politically.
This type of behaviour is no longer socially acceptable.
a socially disadvantaged family (= one that is poor and from a low social class)
We meet at work, but never socially.
Carnivores are usually socially complex mammals.
■ noun
1.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned ) a party that is organized by a group or club
2.
the social [ U ] ( BrE , informal ) = social security :
We're living on the social now.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , or from Latin socialis allied, from socius friend.