People vs. Peoples — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 16, 2023
"People" typically refers to a group of individuals, while "Peoples" denotes multiple groups, each with shared cultural or ethnic ties.
Difference Between People and Peoples
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"People" is a plural form of "person," and it's used to describe any collection of individuals. For instance, you could refer to a gathering in a room as "people." On the other hand, "Peoples" signifies multiple distinct groups of humans, often separated by culture, nationality, or ethnicity. For example, the different ethnic groups within a country can be termed "peoples."
The word "People" is often utilized in everyday conversations and writing to signify more than one individual. It's a generic term that doesn't necessarily denote any shared characteristics, other than being human. "Peoples," while also plural, carries more specificity. It's often used in anthropological or historical contexts to denote groups with shared customs, traditions, or origins.
In the sentence, "There are many people in the park," the term "people" refers to any individuals present, regardless of their backgrounds or affiliations. Contrastingly, the sentence, "The various peoples of the continent have rich and diverse histories," indicates several distinct groups, each with its own shared background or story.
It's essential to note that "People" is singular when talking about a single group, like "the American people." "Peoples," on the other hand, will always indicate more than one group. In sentences like "The peoples of Africa are diverse," it's clear we're referring to multiple distinct ethnic or cultural groups within Africa.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Plural form of "person."
Refers to multiple groups of individuals.
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Usage Context
General; any collection of individuals.
Anthropological or historical contexts.
Count
Singular when referring to one group.
Always plural.
Example
"Many people are in the room."
"The various peoples of Europe are diverse."
Shared Traits
None, other than being human.
Shared customs, traditions, or origins.
Compare with Definitions
People
A collection of individuals.
There were many people at the concert.
Peoples
Several nationalities or ethnic groups.
The peoples of the United Nations work together.
People
Members of a specific group or community.
The people of our organization are dedicated.
Peoples
Groups separated by boundaries or territories.
The various peoples of the islands had their languages.
People
Human beings in general.
People need water to survive.
Peoples
Tribes or clans with common ancestry.
Ancient writings mention the warring peoples of the region.
People
A people is a plurality of persons considered as a whole, as is the case with an ethnic group, nation or the public of a polity.
Peoples
Multiple groups with shared ethnic or cultural characteristics.
The diverse peoples of Africa have rich histories.
People
Human beings in general or considered collectively
The earthquake killed 30,000 people
People think I'm mad
Peoples
Inhabitants of a particular region, distinguished by customs or history.
The indigenous peoples of America have unique traditions.
People
The members of a particular nation, community, or ethnic group
The native peoples of Canada
Peoples
Humans considered as a group or in indefinite numbers. Often treated as a plural of person, alone and in compounds
People were dancing in the street. I met all sorts of people. This book is not intended for laypeople.
People
The supporters or employees of a person in a position of power or authority
I've had my people watching the house for some time now
Peoples
The mass of ordinary persons; the populace. Used with the
"those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes" (Thomas Jefferson).
People
(of a group of people) inhabit (a place)
An arid mountain region peopled by warring clans
Peoples
A body of persons living in the same country under one national government; a nationality.
People
Humans considered as a group or in indefinite numbers. Often treated as a plural of person, alone and in compounds
People were dancing in the street. I met all sorts of people. This book is not intended for laypeople.
Peoples
The citizens of a political unit, such as a nation or state; the electorate. Used with the.
People
The mass of ordinary persons; the populace. Used with the
"those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes" (Thomas Jefferson).
Peoples
Pl. peo·ples A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, or language
The peoples of central Asia.
People
A body of persons living in the same country under one national government; a nationality.
Peoples
Persons with regard to their residence, class, profession, or group
City people.
Farming people.
People
The citizens of a political unit, such as a nation or state; the electorate. Used with the.
Peoples
Persons subordinate to or loyal to a ruler, superior, or employer
The manager would like to introduce you to our people in the regional office.
People
Pl. peo·ples A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, or language
The peoples of central Asia.
Peoples
A person's family, relatives, or ancestors
Where are your people from?.
People
Persons with regard to their residence, class, profession, or group
City people.
Farming people.
Peoples
(Informal) Animals or other beings distinct from humans
Rabbits and squirrels are the furry little people of the woods.
People
Persons subordinate to or loyal to a ruler, superior, or employer
The manager would like to introduce you to our people in the regional office.
Peoples
To settle or inhabit with people; populate.
People
A person's family, relatives, or ancestors
Where are your people from?.
Peoples
To be present in or on (a place)
"The stores ... are peopled by serious shoppers" (Perri Klass).
People
(Informal) Animals or other beings distinct from humans
Rabbits and squirrels are the furry little people of the woods.
Peoples
Plural of people
The course studies the history of Africa and the peoples who lived there.
People
To settle or inhabit with people; populate.
People
To be present in or on (a place)
"The stores ... are peopled by serious shoppers" (Perri Klass).
People
Used as plural of person; a body of human beings considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
There were so many people at the restaurant last night.
People
(countable) Persons forming or belonging to a particular group, such as a nation, class, ethnic group, country, family, etc.
People
A group of persons regarded as being employees, followers, companions or subjects of a ruler.
People
One's colleagues or employees.
People
A person's ancestors, relatives or family.
My people lived through the Black Plague and the Thirty Years War.
People
The mass of a community as distinguished from a special class (elite); the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; the citizens.
People
Plural of person.
People
(transitive) To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
People
(intransitive) To become populous or populated.
People
(transitive) To inhabit; to occupy; to populate.
People
To interact with people; to socialize.
People
The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation.
Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The ants are a people not strong.
Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues.
Earth's monarchs are her peoples.
A government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people.
People
Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women; folks; population, or part of population; as, country people; - sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity.
People were tempted to lend by great premiums.
People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but water.
People
The mass of community as distinguished from a special class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; as, nobles and people.
And strive to gain his pardon from the people.
People
One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English.
People
To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
As the gay motes that people the sunbeams.
People
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively;
Old people
There were at least 200 people in the audience
People
The body of citizens of a state or country;
The Spanish people
People
The common people generally;
Separate the warriors from the mass
Power to the people
People
Members of a family line;
His people have been farmers for generations
Are your people still alive?
People
Fill with people or supply with inhabitants;
People a room
The government wanted to populate the remote area of the country
People
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
People
Citizens of a particular nation.
The American people value freedom.
People
The audience or public.
The product was not popular among the people.
Common Curiosities
Is "People" the plural of "person"?
Yes, "People" is the plural form of "person."
How is "Peoples" different from "People"?
"Peoples" refers to multiple groups, each with shared cultural or ethnic ties, while "People" refers to a general group of individuals.
Can "People" be singular?
Yes, when referring to the entirety of a nation or group, like "the American people."
What does "People" typically refer to?
"People" typically refers to a group of individuals.
Is "Peoples" ever singular?
No, "Peoples" always indicates more than one group.
How can "Peoples" be used in a sentence?
"The various peoples of Asia have distinct cultures."
Is "Peoples" commonly used in daily conversation?
Not as commonly as "People." "Peoples" is often used in more specific contexts.
In which contexts is "Peoples" often used?
"Peoples" is often used in anthropological, historical, or cultural contexts.
Are "People" and "Peoples" interchangeable?
No, they have different meanings and are used in different contexts.
Would it be correct to say "Peoples are in the park"?
No, in that context, "People" would be appropriate.
Can I use "People" to refer to the audience?
Yes, for example, "This movie is loved by the people."
Can I use "People" to refer to the citizens of a nation?
Yes, for example, "the French people."
What might be a shared trait for "Peoples"?
Shared customs, traditions, or origins.
Does "People" have a shared trait?
Not necessarily, it can refer to any group of individuals regardless of shared characteristics.
Can I use "People" to talk about one individual?
No, "People" is plural. The singular form is "person."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
