human
/ˈhjuː.mən/
Word Rarity
Common
Frequency: 5.35 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.
adj
Having the nature or attributes of a human being.
adj
noun
A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).
noun
A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).
Example Sentences
- "Some powers diuine, or els infernall, mixt / Their angry ſeedes at his conception: / For he was neuer ſprong of humaine race, / Since with the ſpirit of his fearefull pride, / He dares so doubtleſly reſolue of rule."
- "[N]o attempt is made to call in God to their reſcue, as if he vvere an idle unconcern'd ſpectator of humane affairs, or ſo inconſiderable an ally, as not to be vvorth the care of engaging him on their ſide."
- "Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth."
- "To err is human; to forgive, divine."
- "She's only human, so give her a break!"
- "She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry."
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin hūmānusbor. Old French umain Middle French humainbor. Middle English humayne English human From Late Middle English humaigne, humayne, humain, from Middle French humain, from Old French humain, umain (“of or belonging to man”, adjective), from Latin hūmānus m (“of man, human”, adjective); see there for further details. Spelling human has been predominant since the early 18th century. Compare, and possibly related to man.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: humaigne, humain, hūmānus
Usage
Inflected Forms
more human (comparative)
most human (superlative)
humane (alternative, obsolete)
humans (plural)
humen (humorous, nonstandard)
humans (present, singular)
humaning (participle, present)
humanning (participle, present)
humaned (participle, past)
humaned (past)
humanned (participle, past)
humanned (past, rare)