socially
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈəʊʃəlˌi/
US
- /ˈsoʊʃəli/
Description
- with other people
- in group settings
- in relation to society
- in a way others accept
When something happens socially, it has to do with how people interact, live together, or are accepted by others. It can describe everyday contact with people, like being comfortable in groups or talking easily with others. It can also describe a wider effect on society. If someone is socially awkward, they may find conversation or group situations hard. A socially responsible company thinks about how its actions affect people, not just money. In simple terms, the word often points to life with other people, whether that means personal interaction or society as a whole.
"Socially" is an adverb that describes something in terms of human relationships, group life, or society more generally. It is often used when talking about how people behave with others, how easily they mix with a group, or whether something is accepted by the people around them. It can also be used in a broader sense for ideas that affect society as a whole.
In one common use, it refers to personal interaction. Someone who does well socially is comfortable meeting people, joining conversations, and fitting into group situations. Someone who struggles socially may feel nervous in groups, miss social cues, or find it hard to build connections. This is the sense used in phrases like socially awkward, socially confident, or socially isolated.
In another use, it describes what a group or society thinks is normal, proper, or acceptable. If something is socially acceptable, people around you generally approve of it. If a person is socially conservative, they tend to support traditional ideas about family life, behavior, or cultural rules.
The word is also common when discussing responsibility or public impact. A socially responsible business thinks about workers, communities, and the wider good, not only profit. A socially conscious person pays attention to problems that affect people in society, such as poverty, unfair treatment, or the environment.
Overall, "socially" is a flexible word. It can point to one person's ability to deal with others, to the standards a group accepts, or to the wider effect something has on society. The exact meaning depends on the context, but it almost always connects back to life with other people.
Examples
- 1
Life changes
He found it hard to adjust socially after moving to a new city.
- 2
Online classes
Even online classes gave the students a chance to connect socially.
- 3
Child development
Children don't just learn facts at school; they also grow socially.
- 4
Workplace confidence
At work, she was excellent technically but less confident socially.
- 5
Social norms
In some places, it is no longer socially acceptable to smoke indoors.
Phrase
socially acceptable
seen as okay by most people in society
- 6
Social skills
He is smart and kind, but he can be socially awkward at parties.
Phrase
socially awkward
uncomfortable or not skilled in social situations
- 7
Political views
They are economically liberal but socially conservative.
Domain
socially conservative
having traditional views on issues like family, sex, and gender
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- sociallyadverb