humanity
HighFormal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
All human beings collectively; the human race.
The qualities of being humane, such as kindness, compassion, and benevolence; the study of human culture, such as literature, philosophy, and history (the humanities).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Encompasses both a collective noun for all people and an abstract quality denoting compassion. The plural 'humanities' refers to academic disciplines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. Minor spelling differences may appear in related words (e.g., humane/humane).
Connotations
Identical. Both varieties strongly associate the word with positive moral qualities and collective identity.
Frequency
Equally frequent and used in the same contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] + humanity (e.g., serve, help, benefit, save)[ADJ] + humanity (e.g., common, basic, entire)[PREP] + humanity (e.g., for the good of humanity, against humanity)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crimes against humanity (legal term)”
- “an affront to humanity”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in CSR contexts (e.g., 'Our technology serves humanity.').
Academic
Common in philosophy, history, sociology, and as the collective term for arts subjects (the humanities).
Everyday
Used in discussions of morals, news, and global issues.
Technical
In law (international criminal law) and ethics.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A – 'humanity' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A – 'humanity' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – the related adverb is 'humanely'.
American English
- N/A – the related adverb is 'humanely'.
adjective
British English
- N/A – the related adjective is 'human' or 'humane'.
American English
- N/A – the related adjective is 'human' or 'humane'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- All of humanity needs clean water.
- He is a kind man with great humanity.
- The new vaccine could help all humanity.
- She argued for treating prisoners with basic humanity.
- The historian's work explores what unites humanity across cultures.
- In that moment of crisis, their shared humanity overcame political differences.
- The philosopher questioned whether technological progress truly benefits humanity or merely serves elite interests.
- The tribunal was established to prosecute the gravest crimes against humanity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'HUMAN-ity' – it's the state or quality of being human, either as all humans together or showing human kindness.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMANITY IS A FAMILY / HUMANITY IS A BODY (e.g., 'all of humanity suffers', 'the family of man').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'человечность' (humaneness/kindness) when referring to 'человечество' (humankind). The word covers both concepts. 'Гуманитарные науки' translates to 'the humanities'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'humanity' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a humanity' – incorrect). Confusing 'humanity' (collective/abstract) with 'human' (individual).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'the humanities' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an uncountable noun. You cannot say 'a humanity' or 'humanities' (except when referring to academic subjects).
They are synonyms for 'the human race'. 'Humanity' is more common and also carries the meaning of 'compassion'. 'Humankind' is slightly more formal and neutral.
It is a specific legal term in international law for widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, such as murder, enslavement, or torture.
Yes. When used to mean compassion or benevolence, it can refer to the quality an individual possesses (e.g., 'He showed great humanity').
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