human beings

Rational bipedal primates

Human beings are the members of the species Homo sapiens—the creatures reading and writing these definitions.

The term emphasizes our shared nature as a species, often invoked when discussing what distinguishes us from animals, machines, or gods: Human beings are social creatures.

It can highlight our limitations or mortality: Human beings make mistakes.

The singular human being emphasizes individuality: Every human being deserves dignity.

peopleHumans as a group
fellow manOther humans collectively
personhoodStatus as a person
sentient beingsCreatures capable of feeling
Homo sapiensScientific name for humans

homo · mere mortals · primates · man · consciousness · individuals · flesh and blood · males · hominid · minds · species · civilization · heart · civil rights · population · bodies · community · kin

Opposites

biological classification

human beingsanimals

Multicellular mobile organisms

beasts · creatures · wildlife · brutes · fauna

sentience and consciousness

human beingsrobots

Programmable mechanical agents

machines · automatons · artificial intelligence · androids · AI

mortality and existence

human beingsgods

Supernatural beings worshipped

deities · immortals · divine beings · God · angels

Family

being, human, humans, humane, humanity, inhuman, humankind, superhuman, inhumanity

Familiarity: Top 5,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G