Word

anthropology

noun C1

UK /ˌænθɹəˈpɒləd͡ʒi/

US /ˌænθɹəˈpɑləd͡ʒi/

Meanings

noun

the study of human societies and cultures and how they develop and differ

noun

the scientific study of humans as biological organisms, including human evolution and variation

Definition

Anthropology is the study of human beings, their societies, and their cultures, past and present.

Anthropology is an academic field that explores what it means to be human. It examines culture, social life, languages, and human biology, often comparing different communities across time and place. Anthropologists may use methods such as fieldwork, interviews, and analysis of artifacts to understand how people live and make meaning.

Examples

She chose anthropology because she wanted to understand how different communities create meaning in everyday life.
In my anthropology class, I learned to question assumptions that feel natural only within my own culture.
They used anthropology to interpret the social rules behind the ceremony rather than treating it as mere spectacle.
His background in anthropology helped him conduct interviews with more patience and cultural sensitivity.
At the museum, you can see how anthropology connects artifacts to the people who made and used them.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse anthropology with archaeology, but anthropology broadly studies humans and cultures, while archaeology focuses mainly on material remains from the past.