What does humanoid mean?
Humanoid describes anything that resembles a human in outward form, whether it is a robot, a fictional creature, a machine, or a living being. The word is especially prominent in science fiction, robotics, and discussions of artificial intelligence, where it distinguishes a humanlike physical appearance from the broader category of intelligent or animate beings. As a noun, a humanoid is the entity itself; as an adjective, it characterizes a body, figure, design, or form. The term does not guarantee that the being is conscious, intelligent, or even mechanical. Its meaning also differs from anthropomorphic: a humanoid resembles a human physically, whereas something anthropomorphic is attributed human traits. Although android is often used similarly, it more specifically refers to a machine or artificial being made in a humanlike form. Humanoid therefore remains the broader and more neutral choice when describing any being whose appearance is recognizably humanlike.
A being, machine, or fictional creature whose physical form resembles that of a human.
"The inventor demonstrated the first fully autonomous humanoid at the exhibition."
Common in science fiction, robotics, and discussions of artificial beings; it does not necessarily imply machine intelligence or consciousness.
Resembling a human in physical form or appearance.
"The engineers redesigned the robot with a more recognizably humanoid torso."
The adjective is usually applied to a physical form, figure, body, robot, or representation.
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple humanlike beings or machines.
"Several humanoids appeared in the film, each modeled on a different historical figure."
A humanoid can be made of metal, flesh, or fiction—but the word is really about resemblance, not humanity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How humanoid is actually used
The term is especially common in science fiction, robotics, and discussions of artificial intelligence. It does not imply intelligence, consciousness, or even a mechanical nature: a fictional creature or a living being can also be humanoid.
Easily confused with humanoid
An android is specifically a machine or artificial being constructed to resemble a human, whereas a humanoid may be mechanical, fictional, or living and is defined more broadly by its humanlike form.
Anthropomorphic describes an animal, object, or idea given human characteristics, while a humanoid is an entity itself that resembles a human in form.