mankind
B2Formal, literary, sometimes philosophical or historical.
Definition
Meaning
The human race; all human beings considered collectively.
The history, achievements, or collective experience of the human species, often considered in a philosophical, historical, or universal context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used with a singular verb. The term is considered by many to be dated, gendered, and anthropocentric, with 'humanity' or 'humankind' being preferred in modern, inclusive language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or frequency. The trend towards more inclusive terms ('humanity', 'humankind') is equally strong in both varieties.
Connotations
Can carry connotations of grand, universal history or fate. In modern contexts, may be perceived as slightly old-fashioned or non-inclusive.
Frequency
Relatively low frequency in contemporary spontaneous speech, more common in formal writing, historical texts, and set phrases.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
for the ~ of mankindthroughout ~'s historya service to ~Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a giant leap for mankind”
- “the brotherhood of mankind”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in corporate mission statements about 'serving mankind', but 'society' or 'people' is more common.
Academic
Common in history, philosophy, and anthropology texts when discussing the human species in a broad, collective sense.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. 'People' or 'everyone' is used instead.
Technical
Used in certain contexts like 'existential risk to mankind' in futures studies or astronomy (e.g., 'messages to mankind').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Mankind needs clean water to live.
- He wants to help mankind.
- The invention of the wheel was a great step for mankind.
- Many diseases are a danger to all mankind.
- Throughout its history, mankind has faced countless challenges.
- The scientist's goal was to contribute to the advancement of mankind.
- The existential risks posed by artificial intelligence are a topic of grave concern for the future of mankind.
- His philosophical treatise explored the inherent duality within mankind's nature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the compound: 'MAN' + 'KIND'. It refers to the 'kind' or species of 'man' (in the old sense of human).
Conceptual Metaphor
MANKIND IS A SINGLE ENTITY / A FAMILY (e.g., 'the family of mankind', 'united mankind').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не является прямым эквивалентом слова 'человечество' во всех контекстах; в неформальной речи 'people' звучит естественнее.
- Не переводится как 'мужской род' (что является омографом).
- В английском 'mankind' согласуется с глаголом в единственном числе.
Common Mistakes
- Using plural verb (e.g., 'mankind are...') – standard usage prefers singular.
- Using in informal contexts where 'people' would be more natural.
- Misspelling as 'mankind'.
- Using without 'the' when a specific determiner is needed (e.g., 'for the good of mankind').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'mankind' MOST appropriate today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not universally considered offensive, but it is seen by many as outdated and non-inclusive because it contains 'man'. In formal and academic writing, 'humanity' or 'humankind' are increasingly preferred as gender-neutral alternatives.
It is typically used with a singular verb (e.g., 'mankind has progressed'), treating the human race as a single collective entity.
Their core meaning is the same. 'Humanity' is more common in modern usage and can also mean 'the quality of being humane'. 'Mankind' has a more historical or literary flavour.
Historically, yes, it was used to refer to all humans. However, due to the potential for misinterpretation and the move towards more inclusive language, its use has declined for this purpose.