people
people Lexical Profile
people Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Human beings in general or considered collectively; unspecified individuals (functioning as the standard plural of 'person').
"Hundreds of people gathered in the town square to watch the summer festival."
The entire body of persons who constitute a community, tribe, nation, or ethnic group by virtue of a common culture, history, religion, or language.
"The museum features artifacts created by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest."
The ordinary citizens of a country or state as distinguished from the ruling class, nobility, or government officials.
"The new constitution was drafted to protect the rights of the people."
One's family, relatives, ancestors, or close associates, employees, and supporters.
"Her people have lived and farmed in that mountain valley for five generations."
• verb
To inhabit, populate, or fill a place, territory, or artistic work with people or particular inhabitants.
"Early maritime explorers peopled the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean over several millennia."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday English, 'people' serves as the standard plural of 'person', whereas 'persons' is restricted to legal or formal bureaucratic contexts. When referring to distinct ethnic groups or nations, 'people' acts as a singular countable noun whose plural is 'peoples' (e.g., 'the indigenous peoples of the Americas').
• Rhymes for people
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 13th century from Anglo-Norman 'poeple' and Old French 'pueple', descending from Latin 'populus' meaning 'a nation, populace, or body of citizens'. It gradually displaced the native Old English word 'folc' (folk) as the primary general term for human beings.