Reading Theme:
Humanity: Definition, Usage & Key Meanings (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：the human race (humanity)
humanity
/hjuːˈmænɪti/
n.
All people on Earth considered as a group.
the human race
➕
/ðə ˈhjuːmən reɪs/
n.
The collective term for all human beings on Earth, considered as a single group.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'humanitas', meaning human nature or kindness.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'human' + 'ity' – the quality that defines us as human beings.
📖 Example
Advances in technology have the potential to benefit all of humanity.
Advances in technology have the potential to benefit all of humanity.
🔗 Collocations
for the sake of humanity – for the benefit or welfare of all people
benefit humanity – to bring advantages to all human beings
save humanity – to protect or rescue the human race from danger
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
inhumanity (n.) – cruelty or lack of compassion towards people
🌱 Derivatives
human (n./adj.) – a person or relating to people
humane (adj.) – showing compassion and kindness
humanitarian (adj./n.) – concerned with promoting human welfare
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'humanitas', referring to human nature and culture. In ancient Rome, it denoted liberal education. Renaissance thinkers revived it to emphasize human values, shaping modern concepts like the humanities.
Meaning 2：kindness and compassion (humanity)
humanity
/hjuːˈmænɪti/
n.
Being kind and trying to prevent suffering for people and animals.
kindness and compassion
➕
/ˈkaɪndnəs ənd kəmˈpæʃən/
n.
The quality of being kind, compassionate, and considerate towards others, especially in preventing suffering.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The rescue workers showed great humanity in their care for the survivors.
The rescue workers showed great humanity in their care for the survivors.
🔗 Collocations
show humanity – to demonstrate kindness and compassion
act with humanity – to behave in a compassionate and ethical manner
sense of humanity – an awareness of and concern for others' well-being
🔄 Synonyms
compassion (n.) – sympathetic concern for the suffering of others
benevolence (n.) – the quality of being well-meaning and kind
kindness (n.) – the act of being friendly, generous, and considerate
🚫 Antonyms
cruelty (n.) – willful infliction of pain or suffering
indifference (n.) – lack of interest or concern for others
🌱 Derivatives
humane (adj.) – characterized by tenderness and compassion
humanitarian (adj./n.) – dedicated to promoting human welfare
Meaning 3：the humanities (humanity)
humanity
/hjuːˈmænɪti/
n.
Subjects like literature, history, and philosophy that study human culture and ideas.
the humanities
➕
/ðə hjuːˈmænɪtiz/
n.
Academic disciplines that study human culture, such as literature, history, philosophy, and the arts.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She decided to major in the humanities, focusing on classical literature.
She decided to major in the humanities, focusing on classical literature.
🔗 Collocations
study the humanities – to engage in learning about cultural and intellectual subjects
field of humanities – the area of academic study focused on human culture
humanities department – a university division dedicated to arts and cultural studies
🔄 Synonyms
liberal arts (n.) – academic subjects focused on general knowledge and intellectual skills
arts (n.) – creative and cultural disciplines like literature and music
cultural studies (n.) – interdisciplinary field examining cultural phenomena
🌱 Derivatives
humanist (n.) – a person who studies or advocates for the humanities
humanistic (adj.) – relating to the humanities or human values
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser