Species — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz/ spe·cies

Meaning & Definition of Species

Species (noun)

  1. kind, sort
  2. a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name; specifically, a logical division of a genus or more comprehensive class
  3. the human race, human beings —often used with the

Species (adjective)

  1. belonging to a biological species as distinguished from a horticultural variety

Species (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic

    "a music that is now generally regarded as a distinct species of rap"

    similar: bracket, category, class, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, tier, type
    related: description, feather, ilk, kidney, like, manner, nature, sort, branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, variety, breed, race, generation, heading, label, title

  2. a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common

    "in the late 1960s there emerged a new species of actor: edgy and not conventionally handsome"

    similar: breed, class, description, feather, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner, nature, order, sort, strain, stripe, type, variety
    related: model, sample, specimen, bracket, bunch, category, division, family, grade, group, grouping, lot, persuasion, rank(s), set, suite

  3. human beings in general

    "the future of the species may well depend on our willingness to limit the impact of an ever-increasing population"

    similar: folks, humanity, humankind, people, public, world
    related: community, society, crowd, masses, mob, populace, proletariat, rabble, rabblement, riffraff

Related Entry: Keystone (noun)

Keystone is a different word from Species. The synonyms below are for keystone, not for species.

  1. an immaterial thing upon which something else rests

    "a sense of history is the keystone to the city's draw as a tourist destination"

    similar: base, basis, bedrock, bottom, cornerstone, footing, foundation, ground, groundwork, root, underpinning, warp, warp and woof
    related: anchorage, bed, brace, bulwark, buttress, framework, infrastructure, mount, prop, shore, stay, substratum, substructure, support, assumption, justification, premise, presumption, presupposition, rationale, supposition, theory, thesis, warrant, backbone, center, core, eye, focus, heart, hub, kernel, nucleus, seat, essence, quintessence, soul, touchstone

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Species

The most common words with a similar meaning to Species:

bracket, category, class, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, tier, type, breed, description, feather, genre, ilk, kidney, like, manner, nature, sort, strain, stripe, variety, folks, humanity, humankind, people, public, world

Related Words for Species

branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, race, generation, heading, label, title, model, sample, specimen, bunch, grouping, lot, persuasion, suite, community, society, crowd, masses, mob, populace, proletariat, rabble, rabblement

Origin & Etymology of Species

Middle English, from Latin, appearance, kind, species, from specere to look spy

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Species

Words & Phrases Containing Species

endangered species, sibling species, type species

Frequently Asked Questions about Species

What does "Species" mean?

"Species" means kind, sort. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: kind, sort. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Species"?

Other words for "Species" include bracket, category, class, classification, division, family, genus and grade. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Species" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Species"?

There are 67 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Species". Common alternatives include bracket, category, class, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group and kind.

How do you use "Species" in a sentence?

Examples of "Species" in a sentence: "a music that is now generally regarded as a distinct species of rap"; "in the late 1960s there emerged a new species of actor: edgy and not conventionally handsome"; "the future of the species may well depend on our willingness to limit the impact of an ever-increasing population".

Is "Species" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Species" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Species" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Species" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Species"?

"Species" is pronounced /ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz/ and divided into syllables as spe·cies.

What is the origin of the word "Species"?

"Species" comes from Middle English, from Latin, appearance, kind, species, from specere to look spy. First known use: 14th century.