WordGarden.ioanthropological
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌænθrəpəlˈɒdʒɪkəl/
US
- /ˌænθrəpəˈlɑdʒəkəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to anthropology or to the study of human societies and cultures
Beyond the definition
"Anthropological" describes anything related to anthropology—the study of humankind, past and present. It's not just about digging up old bones (though that can be part of it!). Anthropologists explore all aspects of human life: from language and culture to biology and society. Think of an anthropological investigation as a deep dive into what makes us... us. You might read an anthropological study of marriage rituals in a particular community, or discuss the anthropological implications of social media use. It's about understanding humans in all their fascinating complexity.
The word "anthropological" stems from anthropos, the Greek word for "human," and logos, meaning "study" or "reason." Therefore, anything described as anthropological relates to the scientific study of humanity – encompassing everything from our biological development and ancient origins to our diverse cultures, social structures, and behaviors.
It's a broad field with several key sub-disciplines. Cultural anthropology explores learned behavior patterns, beliefs, and values within different societies. An anthropologist might conduct fieldwork in a village to understand its traditions or analyze the symbolism of art. Archaeology focuses on recovering and studying material remains – like tools, pottery, and buildings – to reconstruct past ways of life. Biological (or physical) anthropology examines human evolution, genetics, and adaptation. Finally, linguistic anthropology studies how language influences social life and communication.
You'll encounter "anthropological" in academic contexts most frequently: anthropological research, anthropological theory, or an anthropological perspective. However, it can also appear in everyday discussion. For example, someone might say, "From an anthropological perspective, there's a shift in how we view work-life balance," meaning a change in shared human values and priorities.
Essentially, if something concerns the study of humans – their origins, development, behavior, and cultures – it can be described as anthropological. It's about seeking to understand what it means to be human, across time and space.
Examples
- 1
Academic study
The course examines marriage customs from an anthropological perspective.
- 2
Fieldwork
Her anthropological fieldwork focused on how fishing villages pass traditions from one generation to the next.
- 3
Workplace observation
Even in a modern office, he watched meetings with almost anthropological curiosity.
- Phraseanthropological curiosity
interest in how people behave as a group
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- anthropological study
- anthropological evidence
- anthropological perspective
- anthropological fieldwork
Word family
Explore
- cultural anthropology
- human evolution
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- anthropologicaladjective