What does humanity mean?
Humanity is a noun with several closely related meanings. It can refer to human beings collectively, especially when people speak about humanity’s history, future, survival, or shared responsibility. It can also denote the essential qualities associated with being human, including consciousness, reason, empathy, and moral awareness. In expressions concerning compassion or mercy, humanity means humaneness or kindness toward others. The word often appears in formal and philosophical contexts, where it emphasizes the dignity of people and the consequences of human actions for both individuals and the species as a whole. Its collective sense can sound impersonal, while its sense of compassion can carry a warmer, ethical force. Although it is sometimes used loosely to suggest moral excellence, its core meanings are more specific: the human race collectively, the human condition, and humane or compassionate conduct. The word is especially useful when discussing the distinctive capacities and obligations of people as moral agents.
nounHumanity means the quality of being human, especially the capacity for compassion, reason, and moral responsibility. It can also refer collectively to human beings as a whole, particularly when discussing the fate or future of the human species.
- Human beings collectively, especially as a species or civilization.
- The quality of being human, including awareness, moral feeling, and the capacity for compassion.
- Compassion, kindness, or consideration toward other people.
"The future of humanity depends on how wisely we use the knowledge we have gained."
"Historians often examine the progress of humanity through the development of law and technology."
"She treated the injured animal with unusual humanity."
The plural is standard when referring to the humanities as a group of academic disciplines concerned with literature, philosophy, history, languages, and related subjects.
"The university offers courses in the humanities and the sciences."
Humanity comes from the Latin humanus, meaning “of or belonging to human beings”—a modest root for a word that can mean everything that makes us human.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does humanity come from?
Humanity entered Middle English through Old French humanite, which was borrowed from Latin humanitas. Latin humanitas was derived from humanus, meaning “human” or “pertaining to a human,” and humanus in turn came from homo, meaning “man” or “human being.” The same Latin root appears in words such as human, humane, humanist, and humanize.
How humanity is actually used
Humanity has an elevated, formal, or reflective register. When used collectively, it is often impersonal and may sound solemn or philosophical; when referring to compassion, it commonly appears in expressions such as “with humanity.”
Easily confused with humanity
Humanity is a noun meaning human beings collectively or the quality of being compassionate, while humane is an adjective describing compassionate or kind treatment of people or animals.