social
UK[ˈsəʊʃl]US[ˈsoʊʃl]
adj
Relating to society or its organization.
adj
Relating to activities in which people meet each other for pleasure.
adj
(of animals) Breeding or living in organized communities.
Morpheme Breakdown
soci
al
soci
companion
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'social' originates from the Latin socius, meaning 'companion' or 'ally'. This root passed into French as social before entering English in the late 16th century. The core concept evolved from the literal sense of being a companion to the broader, more abstract idea of relating to human companionship and community life. The suffix -al transforms this noun root into an adjective, characterizing anything pertaining to the collective life and interaction of companions, i.e., society.
Analysis
Structure: soci (companion) + al (adjective suffix)
- soci: From Latin socius (companion, ally). The functional role is the core root carrying the meaning of companionship or association.
- al: A suffix of Latin origin (-alis) used to form adjectives meaning 'of, relating to, or characterized by'.
Examples
Social media has changed how we communicate.
She has a very active social life.
Bees are highly social insects.