C1noun1K

Humanity

UK /["/hjuːˈmænəti/"]/US /["/hjuːˈmænəti/"]/

Definition

people in general

In simple words: All people in the world; the human race.

Examples

  • He was found guilty of crimes against humanity.
  • He believed in serving the greater good of humanity.
  • We are talking about nothing less than the survival of humanity.
  • All the streets around the temple were just a mass of humanity.
  • It is because I care about the future of humanity that I'm conducting this research.
  • She was told her son had died in the service of humanity.
  • The story was used to emphasize the humanity of Jesus.
  • united by a sense of common humanity
  • The judge was praised for his courage and humanity.
  • The college offers a wide range of courses in the arts and humanities.

Usage notes

Use 'humanity' when talking about people collectively, their behaviors, or shared experiences. It's appropriate in discussions about ethics, philosophy, and global issues. Less suitable in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Sounds like 'human city' — imagine a large city full of diverse people.

Collocations

  • great
  • true
  • common
  • great
  • true
  • common

Synonyms

  • mankind
  • humankind
  • people
  • society

Antonyms

  • inhumanity
  • brutality

Common mistakes

  • 'Humanity' confused with 'humankind' - they're similar but not always interchangeable.
  • Incorrectly using 'humanity' as a countable noun.
  • 'Humanity' used in overly formal contexts where simpler terms like 'people' would fit better.