Society vs. Community — What's the Difference?

A structured system of human relationships and institutions.

An assembly of individuals bonded by shared experiences or objectives.

An organized group of individuals sharing common cultural or social characteristics.

A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with commonality such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity. Communities may share a sense of place situated in a given geographical area (e.g.

A collective that functions under shared governance or traditions.

A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.

A society is a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same spatial or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations. Societies are characterized by patterns of relationships (social relations) between individuals who share a distinctive culture and institutions; a given society may be described as the sum total of such relationships among its constituent of members.

The district or locality in which such a group lives.

The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community

A group of people having common interests

An organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity

A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society

The situation of being in the company of other people

Similarity or identity

The totality of people regarded as forming a community of interdependent individuals

Sharing, participation, and fellowship

A group of people broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture

Society as a whole; the public.

An organization or association of persons engaged in a common profession, activity, or interest

A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.

The wealthy, socially dominant members of a community. Also called high society.

The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms.

Companionship; company

(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.

(Biology) A colony or community of organisms, usually of the same species

(countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune.

(countable) A long-standing group of people sharing cultural aspects such as language, dress, norms of behavior and artistic forms.

A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.

(countable) A group of people who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest; an association or organization.

A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.

(countable) The sum total of all voluntary interrelations between individuals.

(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.

(uncountable) The people of one’s country or community taken as a whole.

Common enjoyment or possession; participation.

(uncountable) High society.

Common character; likeness.

A number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act toward a common goal.

Commonness; frequency.

The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way; companionship; fellowship; company.

A local area within a county or county borough which is the lowest tier of local government, usually represented by a community council or town council, which is generally equivalent to a civil parish in England.

Connection; participation; partnership.

Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.

A number of persons associated for any temporary or permanent object; an association for mutual or joint usefulness, pleasure, or profit; a social union; a partnership; as, a missionary society.

A body of people having common rights, privileges, or interests, or living in the same place under the same laws and regulations; as, a community of monks. Hence a number of animals living in a common home or with some apparent association of interests.

The persons, collectively considered, who live in any region or at any period; any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse; those who recognize each other as associates, friends, and acquaintances.

Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.

Specifically, the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments.

Common character; likeness.

An extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

Commonness; frequency.

A formal association of people with similar interests;

A group of people living in a particular local area;

The state of being with someone;

A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;

The fashionable elite

Common ownership;

A body of individuals living within defined territorial limits.

A group of nations having common interests;

A broad network of relationships, hierarchies, and systems.

The body of people in a learned occupation;

Agreement as to goals;

A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences

(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other

A group of people living in close proximity or sharing common interests.

A social unit with shared values or goals.

A localized group providing mutual aid and fellowship.

People connected by specific characteristics, beliefs, or passions.

Yes, an individual can be part of several communities (e.g., religious, professional, residential) within one overarching society.

No, a society can span multiple geographical regions, especially in the context of shared cultures, norms, or virtual platforms.

While "society" refers to a group of individuals linked by shared institutions, culture, or relationships, a "community" typically refers to a smaller group of people living in the same area or sharing a common interest.

Community values can shape societal norms, behaviors, and expectations, especially if multiple communities within a society share similar values.

Yes, technology can reshape societal structures, communication, and norms, leading to the evolution of the concept of society.

Typically, communities are part of larger societies, but they can also operate autonomously or in isolation from mainstream society in certain situations.

Not necessarily. While all communities form part of larger societies, not every society is a community due to the broader and more diverse nature of societies.

In communities, leaders often have direct, personal relationships with members and address specific local issues. In societies, leadership typically operates on a broader scale, dealing with larger, more complex issues.

Not always. Societal structures often have hierarchies or divisions based on various factors like wealth, power, or occupation.

Societal norms set the general expectations and standards, which communities often adopt, adapt, or sometimes challenge, leading to specific community behaviors.

Yes, virtual groups that share common interests or goals can be viewed as digital or online communities.

Societies evolve based on economic developments, technological advancements, cultural shifts, external influences, and changing norms and values.

Yes, a diverse society can encompass various communities with different cultures, religions, or beliefs.

Recognizing the distinction helps in understanding the scale, scope, and dynamics of human interactions, relationships, and shared values in different contexts.

Communities influence languages, customs, values, and traditions, playing a significant role in forming an individual's identity and sense of belonging.