human

1 of 3

adjective (1)

hu·​man ˈhyü-mən  ˈyü- 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans (see human entry 2)

the human brain

human voices

problems that have occurred throughout human history

2

: consisting of or involving humans

everyone held hands and made a human chain

human interactions

human spaceflight

3

a

: having human form or attributes

The statue is more human than the beings at his feet.

—Clifton Fadiman

b

: representative of or susceptible to the sympathies and frailties of human nature

human kindness

a human weakness

such an inconsistency is very human

—P. E. More

humanness

ˈhyü-mən-nəs 

ˈyü-

noun

human

2 of 3

noun

: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens) : a person : man sense 1c

—usually plural

a disease that affects both humans and animals

… incomprehensible to us humans.

—William James

broadly : hominid

… the least developed of all ancestral humans

—A. L. Kroeber

humanlike

ˈhyü-mən-ˌlīk 

ˈyü-

adjective

humane

3 of 3

adjective (2)

hu·​mane hyü-ˈmān 

yü-

1

: marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals

humane prison guards

a more humane way of treating farm animals

2

: characterized by or tending to broad humanistic culture : humanistic

humane studies

humanely adverb

humaneness

hyü-ˈmān-nəs 

yü-

noun

Synonyms of human

Adjective (1)

• natural
• mortal

Noun

• person
• life
• man
• guy
• creature
• individual

Adjective (2)

• compassionate
• benevolent
• kind

Examples of human in a Sentence

Adjective (1)

problems that have occurred throughout human history

She is a very kind and human person.

The dog's expression was almost human.

The assembly line was a human machine.

Everyone held hands and formed a human chain.

Noun

humans are the only mammals not endowed with a natural defense against the elements, such as fur or a thick hide

Adjective (2)

It's not humane to treat animals that way.

Conditions in the prison are more humane now.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At the University of Tokyo, researchers have even grown living human skin over robotic digits to wrinkle naturally and mend wounds with collagen. — New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026

By comparison, human advisors can build a comprehensive financial plan — including investing, taxes, insurance, retirement planning, estate planning and more — based on your specific goals. — Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Noun

Worryingly, the series will show how their communities are increasingly under threat from humans. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Direction is not merely a spatial coordinate, but an expression of the relationship between humans, nature and their surroundings. — Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The use of small cages to punish immigration detainees in the Florida Everglades may have violated international law on humane treatment, experts told the Miami Herald. — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Sally Hayden’s reportage is always deeply humane, rigorous and challenging, and this new book promises to be an education. — Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1) and Noun

Middle English humain, from Anglo-French, from Latin humanus; akin to Latin homo human being — more at homage

Adjective (2)

Middle English humain

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1509, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing human

• a human chain
• human being
• human capital
• human chattel
• human chorionic gonadotropin
• human contact
• human ecology
• human engineering
• human error
• human factors
• human granulocytic anaplasmosis
• human granulocytic ehrlichiosis
• human growth hormone
• human immunodeficiency virus
• human interest
• human-interest story
• human leukocyte antigen
• human metapneumovirus
• human nature
• human papillomavirus
• human relations
• human remains
• human resources
• human right
• human rights
• human rights abuse
• human shield
• human trafficking
• milk of human kindness
• put a human face on
• the human animal
• the human condition
• the human race
• the milk of human kindness
• to err is human

Rhymes for human

• crewman
• crewmen
• cumin
• lumen
• numen
• rumen
• suman
• acumen
• albumen
• albumin
• bitumen
• cerumen

Kids Definition

human

1 of 2 adjective

hu·​man ˈhyü-mən 

ˈyü-

1

: relating to or characteristic of human beings

especially : showing qualities typical of human beings

a human failing

2

: consisting of or involving human beings

human spaceflight

3

: having human form or characteristics

the dog's expression was almost human

humanness

-mən-nəs 

noun

human

2 of 2 noun

: a human being

humanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Medical Definition

human

1 of 2 adjective

hu·​man ˈhyü-mən  ˈyü- 

1

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of humans

the human body

human biochemistry

b

: primarily or usually harbored by, affecting, or attacking humans

human diseases

human parasites

2

: being or consisting of humans

the human race

3

: consisting of members of the genus Homo

humanness

-mən-nəs 

noun

human

2 of 2 noun

: a bipedal primate mammal of the genus Homo (H. sapiens)

broadly : any living or extinct member of the genus Homo

humanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective