human
human
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "human" is /ˈhjuːmən/.
First Syllable (/ˈhjuː/):
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative (as in "hat")
/j/ - palatal approximant (as in "yes")
/uː/ - long close back rounded vowel (as in "flute")
Second Syllable (/mən/):
/m/ - bilabial nasal (as in "man")
/ə/ - schwa, a mid-central vowel (as in the "a" in "sofa")
/n/ - alveolar nasal (as in "no")
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: human
Plural: humans
Adjective:
human (no variations for comparative or superlative forms; typically modified by adverbs like "more human" or "less human" if a degree is implied, though this is less common)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A member of the species Homo sapiens, characterized by upright posture, a large brain, the capacity for complex language, and the ability to create and use intricate tools.
Synonyms: person, individual, being, mortal, man/woman (when referring to gender-specific individuals)
Antonyms: animal (in the sense of non-human), beast, deity, alien
Definition 2: A person considered in terms of their susceptibility to error, weakness, or emotional responses, often in contrast to an idealized or mechanical state.
Synonyms: mortal, fallible being
Antonyms: machine, robot, god
Adjective
Definition 1: Relating to or characteristic of people or humankind, especially concerning their nature, behavior, or society.
Synonyms: personal, individual, societal, anthropological
Antonyms: animal (as in pertaining to non-human creatures), artificial, mechanical, divine
Definition 2: Possessing or exhibiting the qualities, such as compassion, reason, or vulnerability, typically associated with people rather than with machines or animals.
Synonyms: humane, compassionate, empathetic, rational, sentient, vulnerable
Antonyms: inhumane, cruel, unfeeling, robotic, bestial
Examples of Use
Books:
"To err is human, to forgive divine." (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism, 1711)
"The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose." (Human beings who have nothing to lose are dangerous indeed.) (James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time, 1963)
"Every human being has a right to be treated with dignity and respect." (Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, 1994)
Newspapers:
"Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to human civilization." (The New York Times, October 2023)
"Researchers discover new insights into the human brain's plasticity." (The Guardian, March 2024)
Online Publications:
"How AI is shaping the future of human interaction." (Wired.com, January 2025)
"The ethics of gene editing: What does it mean to be human?" (Nature.com, November 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We need to understand what makes us human." (From the movie Blade Runner 2049, 2017)
Television Series: "Is he truly human, or something more?" (Dialogue from the series Westworld, Season 3, 2020)
Music: "I'm only human, after all." (From the song "Human" by Rag'n'Bone Man, 2016)
Video Games: "Protecting humanity is our primary objective." (Voiceover from the game Mass Effect 3, 2012)
General Public Discourse:
"It's a very human reaction to feel fear in the face of uncertainty." (Heard in a public lecture on psychology, May 2024)
"We need to create cities that are more livable for human beings." (Comment made during a community planning meeting, February 2025)
"The basic human right to access clean water." (Statement during a United Nations address, September 2024)
10 Quotes Using Human
"To err is human; to forgive, divine." (Alexander Pope)
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." (Albert Einstein)
"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin)
"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government." (Thomas Jefferson)
"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." (Jackie Robinson)
"Every human being has a right to be treated with dignity and respect." (Nelson Mandela)
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together." (Desmond Tutu)
"Nothing captures human interest more than human tragedy." (Dan Brown)
"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire." (Ferdinand Foch)
"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experiences that reveals the human spirit." (e.e. cummings)
Etymology
The word "human" has a fascinating journey through time, starting way back in ancient languages.
It comes from the Latin word "humanus." This Latin word was used to describe anything related to homo, which meant "man" or "person." So, "humanus" essentially meant "of man" or "pertaining to mankind."
Before Latin, we can trace its roots even further back to a much older, reconstructed language called Proto-Indo-European (PIE). In PIE, there was a root word something like "dhghem-" which meant "earth." From this, came words for "earthling" or "earth-bound being," which eventually evolved into the Latin "homo" and, subsequently, "humanus." This suggests that the earliest understanding of "human" was strongly tied to being a creature of the earth, as opposed to a divine being or something from the heavens.
The first known use of "human" in English, in a form we would recognize, appeared around the late 14th century. At that time, it was used as an adjective meaning "pertaining to man or mankind." For example, someone might have spoken of "human nature" or "human reason."
Its use as a noun, meaning "a human being," came a bit later, becoming more common from the 16th century onwards. So, originally, it described something about people, and then it evolved to refer to people themselves.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Human
Human nature: The shared characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits of humankind.
To err is human: A common saying acknowledging that making mistakes is part of being human.
Human touch: A warm, friendly, or sympathetic interaction or approach.
Human rights: Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.
Human resources: The department responsible for managing employees within an organization.
Human interest story: A news story that focuses on the personal side of an event or issue.
Human chain: A line of people holding hands to block an area or pass something along.
More human than human: (Often from fiction) Implies something or someone is so perfectly crafted they exceed typical human capabilities or emotions.
A human being: Simply referring to a person.
The human condition: The characteristics, key events, and existential concerns of human existence.
To be only human: To acknowledge one's limitations, weaknesses, or susceptibility to common feelings.
Human shield: A person or group of people used to deter an attack.
Be a good person: (Using a synonym, similar effect to "be a good human") Act ethically and kindly.
Every soul: (Using a synonym, similar effect to "every human") Refers to every individual.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of human from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
