human-loving
|hu-man-lov-ing|
/ˈhjuːmənˌlʌvɪŋ/
likes or prefers humans
Etymology
'human-loving' originates from English, combining the noun 'human' and the present-participial adjective 'loving'. 'Human' ultimately stems from Latin 'humanus', where 'humanus' meant 'of man, humane'; 'loving' derives from Old English 'lufian' meaning 'to love'.
'human' passed from Latin 'humanus' into Old French and Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'humain'), becoming modern English 'human'; 'loving' comes from Old English forms such as 'lufiende' (present participle of 'lufian') and developed into modern 'loving'. The compound 'human-loving' is a transparent modern English compound formed by joining these elements.
Initially the elements meant 'of man' (human) and 'showing love' (loving); combined, the meaning has remained literal — 'loving or preferring humans' — though usage contexts vary (emotional/ethical vs. biological).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
showing affection, sympathy, or benevolence toward people; fond of or favorable to humans (close to 'people-loving' or 'philanthropic').
The organization adopted a human-loving approach, prioritizing programs that directly improved people's daily lives.
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Adjective 2
(Biological/behavioral) Having a tendency to prefer or be attracted to humans (used of animals, insects, or parasites — similar to 'anthropophilic').
Some mosquito species are human-loving and prefer to feed on people rather than other animals.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 03:52