social

comparative more social · superlative most social

1. Being extroverted or outgoing.

   James is a very social guy; he knows lots of people.

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   Not ignoring what is good, I am quick to perceive a horror, and could still be social with it—would they let me—since it is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place one lodges in.

   1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chapter 1

2. Of or relating to society.

   Unemployment is a social problem.

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   Phoenix and Lubbock are both caught in severe drought, and it is going to get much worse. We may see many such [dust] storms in the decades ahead, along with species extinctions, radical disturbance of ecosystems, and intensified social conflict over land and water. Welcome to the Anthropocene, the epoch when humans have become a major geological and climatic force.

   2012 January 28, Donald Worster, “A Drier and Hotter Future”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, archived from the original on 26 Jan 2012, page 70

   Teresa feels uncomfortable in certain social situations.

3. InternetRelating to social media or social networks.

   social gaming

4. rareRelating to a nation's allies.

   the Social War

5. biologyCooperating or growing in groups.

   a social insect

plural socials

1. countableuncountableA festive gathering to foster introductions.

   They organized a social at the dance club to help people get to know one another.

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   Lugar Brae anniversaried recently. Revs. G. Martin and C. W. Graham were the preachers. At the social Mr. Caleb Corbett was presented with a silver-plated inkstand as a marriage souvenir.

   1896 June 6, “Short Items”, in Geo[rge] Martin, J. C. Warner, editors, The Methodist, volume V, number 23, Sydney, N.S.W.: Wesleyan Book Depot, →OCLC, page 6, column 4

2. Canadian PrairiescountableuncountableA dance held to raise money, often held for a couple to be married.
3. UKabbreviationcolloquialcountableellipsisuncountablewith definite articleEllipsis of social security.

   Fred hated going down to the social to sign on.

4. USabbreviationcolloquialcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of social security number.

   What's your social? [asked so that the asker can look up your account details]

5. IrelandcountabledateduncountableA dinner dance event, usually held annually by a company or sporting club.
6. CanadaabbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of social studies.
7. InternetabbreviationellipsisinformaluncountableEllipsis of social media.

   It went mainstream after it was dubbed the "vampire facial" on social.

   2026, Brian Underwood, “When You Can Turn Back Time”, in Men's Health, volume 41, number 2, page 31

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   “I saw that shift, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s the future of social,’” Systrom said.

   2023 January 31, Casey Newton, quoting Kevin Systrom, “Instagram’s co-founders are back with Artifact, a kind of TikTok for text”, in The Verge, archived from the original on 02 Apr 2024

8. InternetcountableinformalA social media account; the username or handle thereof, or a link thereto.

   Also check out some other experts in this topic — their socials are in the pinned comment below.

   2 more examples

   Close your mouth and delete all your socials tonight.

   2019 August 29, “Cheeto Christ Stupid Czar”, Randy Rainbow (lyrics), Andrew Lloyd Webber (music)performed by Randy Rainbow

   Nearly a week after the Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the world is still adjusting to the fact that he has an American family that does typically American things. The Borgias, for all their many sins, never posted crude or spicy memes to the socials.

   2025 May 13, Richard Fausset, “The Pope’s Florida Brother, a MAGA Disciple, Plans to ‘Tone It Down’”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 14 May 2025