asocial
|a-so-cial|
🇺🇸
/eɪˈsoʊʃəl/
🇬🇧
/eɪˈsəʊʃəl/
not social; avoids others
Etymology
'asocial' originates from the prefix 'a-' (from Greek, meaning 'not') combined with 'social' (from Latin 'socialis', from 'socius' meaning 'companion' or 'ally').
'asocial' appeared in English in the 19th century (influenced by or borrowed from French 'asocial' and formed by combining 'a-' + 'social'), becoming established in modern English usage.
Initially it meant simply 'not social' or 'not inclined toward society'; over time it has also been used in psychological contexts to denote 'asociality' (a lack of motivation for social contact) and more generally to describe a preference for solitude.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not inclined to seek the company of others; preferring solitude or avoiding social interaction.
He is often described as asocial and prefers staying home to going to parties.
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Adjective 2
lacking social skills or interest in social norms; indifferent to social interaction (used sometimes in clinical or research contexts as 'asociality').
Researchers sometimes label certain responses in the study as asocial behavior.
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Last updated: 2025/10/30 04:06