Society is the organized group of people living together in a structured community, sharing laws, norms, and institutions. It encompasses social relationships, cultural practices, and collective activities that govern daily life. The term often implies a cohesive system governed by shared expectations, and it can refer to a particular population or the broader human community.
"In urban societies, public transport and housing policy shape daily life for millions."
"The university fosters a diverse society where ideas from many cultures converge."
"So-called modern society faces challenges like inequality and social media influence."
"Artists often critique society by highlighting its assumptions and power structures."
Society derives from the Latin societas, from socius meaning 'ally, companion' and the suffix -tas denoting a state or condition. Societas originally referred to companionship or fellowship within a group, then broadened to denote the organized association of individuals bound by reciprocal duties. In medieval Latin, societas signified a partnership or guild, and the term migrated into Old French as societe before entering Middle English as societie, later standardized to society. The word evolved to capture not only informal gatherings but the formal structures of civilization—laws, classes, institutions, and social hierarchies. Over time, ‘society’ has carried connotations of collective norms and the macro-level configuration of human life, contrasting with individual or private life. In modern discourse, it frequently appears in debates about social policy, governance, and cultural identity, reflecting its roots in fellowship and cooperative living while signaling the complexities of modern, pluralistic communities.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Society" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Society"
-ity sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /səˈsaɪəti/ (US) or /səˈsaɪəti/ (UK/AU). The primary stress is on the second syllable: so-CI-e-ty. Start with a schwa syllable, then a stressed long I sound, then a light schwa, and end with a 'tee' or 'tee' ending. Think: suh-SY-uh-tee. For quick reference, you’ll hear it as sə-ˈsai-ə-ti in careful speech.
Common errors include misplacing stress, saying /ˈsɒsəɪəti/ or /soʊˈsaɪəti/ with unclear second syllable or mixing up the 'si' vowel. Another error is reducing the middle vowel too much, producing /səˈsaɪəti/ with an indistinct third syllable. Correction: keep the vowel quality of /ˈsaɪ/ stable, maintain a clear schwa on the first syllable, and articulate the final /i/ as a light, crisp 'ee' sound.
In US English, /səˈsaɪəti/ has a rhotic, clear 'r' only in related words; here the 'r' is not present. UK English maintains the same stress pattern but may have a slightly shorter second syllable V. Australian English often glides the vowels a bit differently, with a compact /ə/ in the first syllable and a less-open /aɪ/ diphthong, but still keeps the primary stress on CI.
The challenge lies in the multi-syllable structure with a stressed diphthong /ˈsaɪ/ and a trailing unstressed /əti/. The sequence of a strong diphthong followed by a light schwa and then a final /ti/ can blend in rapid speech, causing vowel reduction or blending. Practice with slow articulation to keep the /ˈsaɪ/ clearly audible and ensure the final /ti/ does not vanish.
A distinctive feature is the unstressed 'e-ty' ending, where the 'e' is not pronounced as a separate vowel; rather, the final syllable carries /ti/ with a light touch. In careful speech you’ll hear /təi/ or /ti/ at the end depending on dialect, but common usage yields /-əti/ or /-əti/. Focus on sustaining the /i/ and clearly delivering the final consonant cluster.
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