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Meaning & use

community

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/kəˈmjuːnəti/
US/kəˈmjuːnəti/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    The people living in one area, such as a town or neighborhood, considered as a group.

    Grammar: Can take a singular or plural verb in British English, but a singular verb is usual: the community is proud.

    Patterns

    • the local community
    • a community of something

    The whole community came together to rebuild the school.

    She has lived in this community all her life.

    A new clinic will serve the local community.

  2. nouncountable

    A group of people who share an interest, background, belief or profession, wherever they live.

    Grammar: Often preceded by the shared trait: the business community.

    Patterns

    • the something community
    • a community of something

    The scientific community welcomed the discovery.

    There is a large Italian community in the city.

    An online community of gardeners shares tips daily.

  3. noununcountable

    A feeling of belonging and shared purpose among people.

    Grammar: Used without an or an: a sense of community.

    Patterns

    • a sense of community

    The street party created a real sense of community.

    Volunteering gave her a feeling of community.

  4. nouncountablebiologytechnical

    A group of different living things that share an environment and affect each other.

    Grammar: A biology use: a plant community.

    Patterns

    • a community of organisms

    The pond supports a rich community of insects and fish.

    Loss of one species can disturb the whole community.

Word forms

pluralcommunities

Common combinations

local community
The shop supports the local community.
sense of community
Small towns often have a strong sense of community.
community center
The yoga class meets at the community center.
online community
She joined an online community for writers.
international community
The international community condemned the attack.
community service
He was sentenced to community service.

Synonyms and how they differ

neighborhood
Neighborhood is about a physical area, while community also covers shared bonds and groups.
society
Society is much bigger and covers a whole country or the human world.
public
Public means people in general and does not suggest closeness or shared identity.
fellowship
Fellowship emphasizes warm friendship within a group rather than the group itself.

Opposites

individualoutsider

Word family

communal adjective
shared by a group
commune noun
a group living and sharing together
communalism noun
loyalty to one's own group
communitarian adjective
focused on shared group values

Commonly confused: community or communication? community or commonwealth?

community vs communication

Communication is the act of sharing information, while community is a group of people.

community vs commonwealth

A commonwealth is a state or union of states, which is a bigger political idea than a community.

Practice

Which phrase uses community in the sense of people sharing a profession or interest?

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