social

adj

1. Being extroverted or outgoing.

   “James is a very social guy; he knows lots of people.”

   “Not ignoring what is good, I am quick to perceive a horror, and could still be social with it—would they let me—since it is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place one lodges in.”

2. Of or relating to society.

   “Phoenix and Lubbock are both caught in severe drought, and it is going to get much worse. We may see many such [dust] storms in the decades ahead, along with species extinctions, radical disturbance of ecosystems, and intensified social conflict over land and water. Welcome to the Anthropocene, the epoch when humans have become a major geological and climatic force.”

   “Teresa feels uncomfortable in certain social situations.”

   “Unemployment is a social problem.”

3. (Internet)Relating to social media or social networks.

   “social gaming”

4. (rare)Relating to a nation's allies.

   “the Social War”

5. Cooperating or growing in groups.

   “a social insect”

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A festive gathering to foster introductions.

   “They organized a social at the dance club to help people get to know one another.”

2. (Canadian-Prairies, countable, uncountable)A dance held to raise money, often held for a couple to be married.
3. (British, abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, countable, ellipsis, uncountable, with-definite-article)Ellipsis of social security.

   “Fred hated going down to the social to sign on.”

4. (US, abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, countable, ellipsis, uncountable)Ellipsis of social security number.

   “What's your social? [asked so that the asker can look up your account details]”

5. (Ireland, countable, dated, uncountable)A dinner dance event, usually held annually by a company or sporting club.
6. (Canada, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable)Ellipsis of social studies.
7. (Internet, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, informal, uncountable)Ellipsis of social media.

   ““I saw that shift, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s the future of social,’” Systrom said.”

8. (Internet, countable, informal)A social media account; the username or handle thereof, or a link thereto.

   “Also check out some other experts in this topic — their socials are in the pinned comment below.”

   “Close your mouth and delete all your socials tonight.”

   “Nearly a week after the Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the world is still adjusting to the fact that he has an American family that does typically American things. The Borgias, for all their many sins, never posted crude or spicy memes to the socials.”