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human

person / characteristic of people

/ˈhjuː.mən/

Adjective[C] Countable
pl: humanscomp: more humansup: most human

As a noun, the term often carries a biological or philosophical weight, distancing the subject from individual personality to focus on the species as a whole. It is frequently used in scientific contexts or when contrasting people with animals, robots, or deities. As an adjective, the word emphasizes vulnerability, imperfection, and emotional capacity. It suggests a shared experience of frailty and empathy, framing mistakes not as failures but as inherent traits of the collective experience of living.

Used as a noun to refer to individuals.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon in a quiet office
Karen

Did you see the new HR policy? It is totally inhuman.

Karen
David
David

Now Karen, let's be human about this and give them a chance.

💡
David is trying to use a corporate-sounding empathetic tone to calm his wife down while using the target word to suggest kindness.

Meanings

Nounperson

A person; a member of the species Homo sapiens.

"The study explores what it truly means to be human."

Adjectivecharacteristic of people

Relating to or characteristic of people or mankind.

"To err is human, to forgive divine."

Examples

I just want to feel like a human again after this flight.

Look, we are all human, so stop pretending you are perfect!

Is there a human actually working this desk or just a bot?

I'm only human, I can't possibly remember every single date.

God, just act like a human for five minutes and listen!

I believe my human element is what makes me a great manager.

It is so refreshing to talk to a real human for once.

Collocations & Compounds

human rights

fundamental rights and freedoms

The organization fights for basic human rights.

human nature

the general psychological characteristics of people

It is just human nature to be curious.

human error

a mistake made by a person

The crash was caused by simple human error.

human resources

the department dealing with employees

I need to send my resume to human resources.

human touch

a personal or empathetic quality

The service lacks a certain human touch.

Idioms & Sayings

too human

having flaws that make one relatable

His struggle with failure makes him too human to hate.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English 'humain', from Old French 'humain', originating from the Latin 'humanus', which is rooted in 'humus' meaning 'earth' or 'ground', reflecting the ancient belief that humans were created from the earth.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 8, 2026Report an Error