Society — English Vocabulary
70 essential words about society in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
resident /ˈrezɪdənt/ noun B2
A person who lives in a particular place (a town, a building, a country) as their home; also a doctor training in a hospital (US).
Example: Residents opposed the new road.
senior /ˈsiːniər/ adjective / noun B2
Older or higher in rank; also an older person (a senior citizen), and the final-year student in a US high school or university.
Example: Senior citizens ride free.
volunteer /ˌvɒlənˈtɪər/ noun / verb B2
A person who offers to do work or help without being paid; to offer to do something freely, or to give information without being asked.
Example: Volunteers serve food at the shelter.
household /ˈhaʊshəʊld/ noun B2
All the people living together in one house or apartment, counted as one unit in statistics and services; the home and its affairs.
Example: The average household has 2.5 people.
public /ˈpʌblɪk/ noun / adjective B2
People in general, as a whole (the public); or open to everyone and provided by the community or government (public transport, a public library).
Example: The park is open to the public.
society /səˈsaɪəti/ noun B2
People living together in a country or community with shared laws, customs, and organizations; also an organized group with a special purpose (a music society).
Example: Modern society depends on trust.
elderly /ˈeldərli/ adjective B2
Old in age; used politely for older people (the elderly = old people as a group).
Example: Elderly people often need warmer rooms.
youth /juːθ/ noun B2
The time of life when a person is young; young people as a group; also a young man in some usages.
Example: In her youth, she swam daily.
toddler /ˈtɒdlər/ noun B2
A young child who has just learned to walk, roughly between one and three years old.
Example: The toddler took three steps and sat down.
spouse /spaʊs/ noun B2
A person's husband or wife — the formal word used on documents and in official contexts.
Example: Employees may bring their spouses.
custom /ˈkʌstəm/ noun B2
Something done traditionally by a society or group — an accepted way of behaving or celebrating.
Example: Shaking hands is a common custom.
minority /maɪˈnɒrəti/ noun B2
The smaller part of a group; a group of people of a different race, religion, or language within a larger population.
Example: Only a minority voted against the plan.
majority /məˈdʒɒrəti/ noun B2
The larger part of a group; more than half.
Example: The majority agreed with the decision.
equality /ɪˈkwɒləti/ noun B2
The state of being equal — having the same rights, treatment, and opportunities.
Example: The law promises equality for all citizens.
charity /ˈtʃærəti/ noun B2
An organization that helps people in need; the act of giving money, food, or help to the poor and sick.
Example: The charity provides food for families.
norm /nɔːrm/ noun B2
The usual, accepted way of behaving or the standard level in a society or group.
Example: Working from home became the norm.
ritual /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ noun B2
A set of fixed actions performed regularly as part of a ceremony or custom, or a personal routine done in the same way each time.
Example: The graduation ritual includes throwing caps in the air.
taboo /təˈbuː/ noun / adjective B2
A subject, word, or action that a society avoids or forbids because it is offensive, embarrassing, or sacred.
Example: Death was a taboo subject at the dinner table.
prejudice /ˈpredʒədɪs/ noun B2
An unfair opinion about a person or group, formed without knowledge or reason, usually negative.
Example: The campaign fights prejudice at work.
stereotype /ˈsteriətaɪp/ noun B2
A fixed, oversimplified idea about what people of a group are like, believed by many but unfair to individuals.
Example: The film plays with stereotypes about artists.
community /kəˈmjuːnəti/ noun B2
The people living in one area, or a group of people with shared interests and identity.
Example: Our community built a new park together.
government /ˈɡʌvərnmənt/ noun B2
The group of people who control a country, state, or city and make its laws and decisions.
Example: The government announced new taxes yesterday.
citizen /ˈsɪtɪzən/ noun B2
A legal member of a country, with rights and duties there.
Example: She became a US citizen in 2019.
culture /ˈkʌltʃər/ noun B2
The beliefs, customs, arts, and way of life of a group of people.
Example: American culture values independence and direct speech.
tradition /trəˈdɪʃən/ noun B2
A custom or belief passed from parents to children over many years.
Example: Eating turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition.
population /ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃən/ noun B2
All the people who live in a place, or the number of them.
Example: The population of Chicago is about 2.7 million.
generation /ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃən/ noun B2
All the people born around the same time, or the period of time between parents and their children.
Example: The younger generation uses phones for everything.
behavior /bɪˈheɪvjər/ noun B2
The way a person acts, especially toward others.
Example: The teacher praised the children's good behavior.
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ noun B2
The right and ability to act, speak, and think as you want without control by others.
Example: Freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution.
responsibility /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ noun B2
A duty to take care of something or someone; being the person who must do something or accept blame.
Example: Parents have a responsibility to protect their children.
transform /trænsˈfɔːrm/ verb C1
To change something completely in form, appearance, or character, usually into something better.
Example: The renovation transformed the old school.
convert /kənˈvɜːrt/ verb C1
To change something into a different form or use; to change money into another currency; to change religion or beliefs; also to score after a try in rugby/American football contexts.
Example: They converted the barn into a studio.
restore /rɪˈstɔːr/ verb C1
To bring something back to its original state or condition — old buildings, paintings, health, order, or a king's power.
Example: Workers restored the old theater.
renew /rɪˈnjuː/ verb C1
To make an agreement, license, or subscription continue for a longer period; also to make something new, fresh, or strong again.
Example: Renew your passport this year.
modify /ˈmɒdɪfaɪ/ verb C1
To change something slightly, usually to improve it or make it more suitable; in grammar, a word that limits or describes another word.
Example: Modify the plan for winter weather.
alter /ˈɔːltər/ verb C1
To change something, or to become different, usually slightly or in an important detail; tailors alter clothes to fit.
Example: The date was altered twice.
transition /trænˈzɪʃən/ noun / verb C1
The process of changing from one state, system, or condition to another; a period during which this change happens.
Example: The transition to the new system took a year.
overhaul /ˌəʊvərˈhɔːl/ verb / noun C1
To repair or improve something completely by examining every part and changing what is needed — engines, systems, laws, and organizations.
Example: The airline overhauled its booking system.
adjust /əˈdʒʌst/ verb C1
To change something slightly to make it fit, work better, or suit a new situation; also to get used to a new situation (adjust to).
Example: Adjust the mirror before driving.
switch /swɪtʃ/ verb / noun C1
To change from one thing to another — jobs, plans, lanes, or channels; also the small lever or button that turns electricity on and off (also a noun).
Example: She switched careers at forty.
migration /maɪˈɡreɪʃən/ noun C1
The movement of people or animals from one place to another, often across countries or seasons, to live or find food and safety.
Example: Migration changed both countries.
refugee /ˌrefjuˈdʒiː/ noun C1
A person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster, and seeks safety elsewhere.
Example: Refugees crossed the border at night.
urbanization /ˌɜːrbənəˈzeɪʃən/ noun C1
The process of areas becoming cities and of more people living in cities than in the countryside.
Example: Urbanization transformed the country in fifty years.
overpopulation /ˌəʊvərˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃən/ noun C1
The condition of having too many people in a place for its resources — food, water, housing, and services.
Example: Overpopulation strains the city's water supply.
sanitation /ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən/ noun C1
The systems that keep places clean and healthy — clean water, toilets, sewers, and waste removal.
Example: Clean water and sanitation save millions.
poverty /ˈpɒvərti/ noun C1
The state of being very poor — lacking enough money for basic needs like food, housing, and clothing.
Example: The program lifts families out of poverty.
famine /ˈfæmɪn/ noun C1
A severe shortage of food across a region that causes many people to suffer hunger and death.
Example: Drought brought famine to the region.
epidemic /ˌepɪˈdemɪk/ noun C1
A disease spreading quickly among many people in an area at the same time; also a sudden rapid spread of something bad (an epidemic of crime).
Example: The flu epidemic closed schools.
conflict /ˈkɒnflɪkt/ noun C1
A serious disagreement or fighting between people, groups, or countries; also a clash between ideas, schedules, or duties.
Example: The conflict lasted a decade.
shortage /ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ/ noun C1
A situation where there is not enough of something that is needed (a water shortage, a housing shortage, a shortage of nurses).
Example: The drought caused a water shortage.
empire /ˈempaɪər/ noun C1
A group of countries or lands ruled by one person or government; also a very large and powerful business organization.
Example: The Roman Empire lasted centuries.
civilization /ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun C1
An advanced stage of human society with cities, government, culture, and writing; a particular society of this kind.
Example: Ancient Egyptian civilization built the pyramids.
monument /ˈmɒnjəmənt/ noun C1
A building, statue, or structure built to remember a person or event; something that remains as a great example.
Example: The monument honors fallen soldiers.
ancestor /ˈænsestər/ noun C1
A person in your family from whom you are descended, who lived long before you — grandparents and beyond into history.
Example: Her ancestors came from Ireland.
descendant /dɪˈsendənt/ noun C1
A person or animal that is descended from a particular ancestor; a later generation of a family or species.
Example: She is a descendant of the town's founder.
dynasty /ˈdɪnəsti/ noun C1
A series of rulers from the same family; also a powerful family whose members lead in business or sports across generations.
Example: The dynasty ruled for three centuries.
archaeology /ˌɑːrkiˈɒlədʒi/ noun C1
The study of human history through digging up and examining old buildings, objects, and bones.
Example: Archaeology revealed the lost city.
era /ˈɪərə/ noun C1
A long period of time in history marked by a particular feature or leader; a distinct age.
Example: The Victorian era shaped modern Britain.
reign /reɪn/ noun / verb C1
The period when a king or queen rules; to rule as a king or queen. Also to be the strongest or most common thing (silence reigns).
Example: Her reign lasted sixty years.
tomb /tuːm/ noun C1
A room or structure, often underground or in stone, where a dead person is buried, especially an important person.
Example: The pharaoh's tomb held gold and secrets.
inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/ noun C1
An unfair difference between groups in wealth, opportunity, or treatment.
Example: The report studies income inequality in big cities.
diversity /daɪˈvɜːrsəti/ noun C1
The inclusion of many different types of people — in race, culture, age, and background — in a group or place.
Example: The university values diversity in its classes.
discrimination /dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/ noun C1
Treating a person or group unfairly because of their race, gender, age, or other personal characteristic.
Example: Laws ban discrimination in hiring.
welfare /ˈwelfeər/ noun C1
The health, happiness, and safety of a person or group; also government money and services that help people in need.
Example: Teachers care about students' welfare.
immigration /ˌɪmɪˈɡreɪʃən/ noun C1
The act of coming to live permanently in a new country; the official process for it.
Example: Immigration built modern American cities.
urban /ˈɜːrbən/ adjective C1
Relating to cities and towns, and life in them.
Example: Urban areas offer more jobs and services.
rural /ˈrʊərəl/ adjective C1
Relating to the countryside and life outside cities and towns.
Example: Rural schools often have small classes.
heritage /ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ noun C1
The traditions, buildings, and cultural history passed down within a family, group, or country.
Example: The old fort is part of the city's heritage.
contemporary /kənˈtempəreri/ adjective C1
Belonging to the present time; modern and current in style or ideas.
Example: The museum shows contemporary American art.
demographic /ˌdeməˈɡræfɪk/ adjective / noun C1
Relating to the structure of populations — age, income, race, education; a specific group defined this way.
Example: Demographic changes are reshaping the suburbs.