so·cial /ˈsōSHəl/ adjective 1. of or relating to society or its organization: "alcoholism is recognized as a major social problem" synonyms: communal, community, collective, group, general, ... more ▪ of or relating to rank and status in society: "a recent analysis of social class in Britain" ▪ needing companionship and therefore best suited to living in communities: "we are social beings as well as individuals" ▪ relating to or designed for activities in which people meet each other for pleasure: "Guy led a full social life" synonyms: recreational, leisure, entertainment, amusement 2. (of a bird) gregarious; breeding or nesting in colonies. synonyms: gregarious, interactional, organized ▪ (of an insect) living together in organized communities, typically with different castes, as ants, bees, wasps, and termites do. ▪ (of a mammal) living together in groups, typically in a hierarchical system with complex communication.