Human Meaning
Human Definition & Usage
A member of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished by the ability to speak, create, and develop complex societies.
Examples
- "Humans have a unique capacity for abstract thinking."
- "The evolution of humans has been marked by significant technological advancements."
- "Humans are social creatures, often thriving in communities."
- "Some scientists believe that humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor."
- "The history of human civilization spans thousands of years."
Relating to or characteristic of people or human beings.
Examples
- "The human brain is incredibly complex."
- "We need to find more human-centered solutions to the problem."
- "His human qualities, such as kindness and empathy, were admired by everyone."
- "Human emotions are often difficult to predict."
- "There was a deep sense of human suffering in the aftermath of the disaster."
Referring to something that is natural, frail, or imperfect, in contrast to something idealized or superhuman.
Examples
- "It was a human mistake, but we learned from it."
- "He showed his human side when he admitted to being afraid."
- "She made a human error, but no one blamed her."
- "Despite his accomplishments, he remained humble and very human."
- "The machine worked perfectly, but it still lacked the human touch."
Cultural Context
The term 'human' is rooted in the Latin word 'humanus', meaning 'of or belonging to man'. It is used in a variety of contexts, ranging from biology to philosophy, to describe the qualities and experiences that make us distinct as a species. Humans have long been associated with qualities like reason, empathy, and culture, often seen in contrast to animals, machines, and other forms of life.
The Human Touch
Story
The Human Touch
On a rainy evening in the city, Sarah sat in her small studio apartment, staring out the window as the droplets raced each other down the glass. She thought about the human condition—how we all seem to chase after something intangible, whether it's love, success, or peace. Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Alex, her longtime friend. 'Come over. We need to talk,' the text read. Sarah sighed, knowing that 'talk' meant Alex was struggling again. He had always been sensitive, deeply emotional—a true human being in all his complexity. Sarah grabbed her coat and left. When she arrived, Alex greeted her with a half-hearted smile. They sat on the couch, the soft light of a lamp casting a warm glow in the room. 'I've been thinking about us,' Alex said. 'About what it means to be human. Do we really ever understand ourselves?' He seemed lost, his vulnerability exposed. Sarah nodded. 'You know, sometimes it feels like we're just figuring it out as we go. But I think that's the beauty of it. Our mistakes, our emotions... they're all part of what makes us human.' Alex leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. 'Maybe. But sometimes, I wish I could be more than human. Like a machine, programmed to know exactly what to do.' Sarah chuckled softly. 'But then you’d miss out on what makes life worth living—the imperfection, the struggle, the joy that comes with it all. We're human because we get to feel.' Alex smiled faintly, reassured by her words. 'You're right. I guess that's what makes us different from machines.' As they continued to talk into the night, Sarah realized how much their friendship had shaped her understanding of being human—of the messy, beautiful, and often confusing nature of life itself. The next day, Sarah returned to her work, a designer at a tech startup. She spent hours collaborating with her team, fine-tuning a new feature for an AI-driven app. As the code loaded onto the screen, she paused. The machine was flawless in its calculations, but it lacked the warmth, the intuition that humans brought to the table. She thought about Alex again, his search for meaning, and realized that in her own way, she too was searching for something human in the work she did—something beyond the sterile, algorithmic efficiency of the machines around her. 'It's the human touch,' Sarah thought, smiling to herself as the machine hummed in the background.
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