human — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Of or belonging to the species Homo sapiens or its closest relatives.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

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   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.

2. Having the nature or attributes of a human being.

   Usage

   • comparable

   Examples

   To err is human; to forgive, divine.

   She's only human, so give her a break!

   More examples (3)

   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.

   The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.

   2011 August 17, Holman W. Jenkins, Jr., The Many Wars of Google: Handset makers will learn to live with their new ‘frenemy’, Business World, Wall Street Journal, Google wouldn't be human if it didn't want some of this loot, which buying Motorola would enable it to grab.

3. Compassionate.

   Synonyms

   humane

   Examples

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   When his loosely-built, straggling, lean, clerical figure appeared, with that gaunt, worn face illuminated by its human grin and dignified by its earnest eyes, through the doorway, they both felt as if an old friend had entered. His own greeting was equally cordial.

Noun

1. A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens).

   Synonyms

   human beingmanwomanperson

   Examples

   Humans share common ancestors with other apes.

   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola.

   More examples (2)

   If I ever have to choose between a future where killer robots hunt humans or a future where bacon supplies have run out ... Let's just say you better start running.

   They were for start-ups promising to reinvent medicine, disrupt education and transform the future of business. “Stop Hiring Humans,” one billboard read.

2. A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens). A human as contrasted from superficially similar but typically more powerful humanoid creatures; a member of the human race.

   Examples

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   Greetings. I am Blor-Utar from Zimtok-5. I have come to subjugate the human race. Do not resist. Why humans? Because, in addition to their value as slave labor, they are also delicious and nutritious!

3. A highly intelligent ape with fine and short body hair; the most abundant species of primate, with members found on every continent (Homo sapiens). A term of address for any human, often implying the listener's species is their only noteworthy trait.

   Examples

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   Greetings, human! You have stumbled into the dimension of the Snow People.[…]Flesh plows clear the streets to make them safe to drive.[…]Does this shock you, human? Do the ways of our world open your eyes to the truths of your own?

4. Any hominid of the genus Homo.

   Usage

   • broadly

Verb

1. To behave as or become, or to cause to behave as or become, a human.

   Usage

   • Rare

   Synonyms

   humanize

   Examples

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   […] he sought to charm a single pair of ears, and those more hairy than critical. Later, as the race went on humaning, there grew complexity of sentiment and varying emotional needs, […]

   There are, then, many ways of humaning: these are the ways along which we make ourselves and, collaboratively, one another.

Adjective

1. characteristic of humanity

   Examples

   human nature

2. relating to a person

   Examples

   the experiment was conducted on 6 monkeys and 2 human subjects

3. having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings

   Antonyms

   nonhuman

   Examples

   human beings

   the human body

   More examples (2)

   human kindness

   human frailty

Noun

1. any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage

   Synonyms

   homomanhuman being

   Broader terms

   hominid