Society vs. Community: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on October 22, 2023
Society refers to a broad group of people sharing cultural, economic, or social ties, while a community is a specific group of people with shared interests or locality.
Key Differences
Society and community, though often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings. Society encompasses a larger group of individuals connected by shared cultural, historical, or social attributes.
It's a macro concept that might represent a country's entire population or even the global populace. On the other hand, community usually denotes a smaller group bonded by a specific commonality, such as location or interest.
While a society might be thought of as the entire fabric, communities are the threads that make up that fabric. Society might impose laws, cultural norms, and broad structures, whereas community interaction is often more personal, based on mutual support and direct collaboration.
It's worth noting that while societies often contain numerous diverse communities, communities, in turn, contribute to the shaping of societies.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Broad group linked by shared cultural, economic, or social ties.
Specific group with shared interests or location.
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Scale
Typically larger, could be national or global.
Typically smaller, can be local or interest-based.
Examples
A nation's populace, the global society.
Neighborhoods, online gaming groups.
Nature
More generalized and broader.
More intimate and close-knit.
Interaction
Might be impersonal or structured.
Often direct, personal, and cooperative.
Society and Community Definitions
Society
A group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction.
The advancements in technology have a profound impact on modern society.
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Community
A group of people living in the same locality.
The community came together to restore the local park.
Society
People of a particular region or group as a whole.
The changing values in society have led to diverse opinions on various subjects.
Community
A unified body of individuals, irrespective of their number or diversity.
The music community mourned the loss of the iconic singer.
Society
The aggregate of people living together in a somewhat ordered community.
The invention of the internet revolutionized society in unprecedented ways.
Community
A body of individuals with shared interests.
The online community actively discussed their favorite books.
Society
An organized group of people associated for cultural, religious, or other communal purposes.
The society held monthly meetings to discuss cultural preservation.
Community
People with a common heritage or shared characteristics.
The artistic community in the town is known for its vibrant murals.
Society
The totality of people regarded as forming a community of interdependent individuals
Working for the benefit of society.
Community
A feeling of fellowship with others due to shared interests or goals.
The sense of community in the group was evident in their mutual support.
Society
A group of people broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture
Rural society.
Literary society.
Community
A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government.
Society
An organization or association of persons engaged in a common profession, activity, or interest
A folklore society.
A society of bird watchers.
Community
The district or locality in which such a group lives.
Society
The wealthy, socially dominant members of a community. Also called high society.
Community
A group of people having common interests
The scientific community.
The international business community.
Society
Companionship; company
Enjoys the society of friends and family members.
Community
A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society
The gay community.
The community of color.
Society
(Biology) A colony or community of organisms, usually of the same species
An insect society.
Community
Similarity or identity
A community of interests.
Society
(countable) A long-standing group of people sharing cultural aspects such as language, dress, norms of behavior and artistic forms.
This society has been known for centuries for its colorful clothing and tight-knit family structure.
Community
Sharing, participation, and fellowship
A sense of community.
Society
(countable) A group of people who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest; an association or organization.
It was then that they decided to found a society of didgeridoo-playing unicyclists.
Community
Society as a whole; the public.
Society
(countable) The sum total of all voluntary interrelations between individuals.
The gap between Western and Eastern societies seems to be narrowing.
Community
A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region.
Society
(uncountable) The people of one’s country or community taken as a whole.
Our global society develops in fits and starts.
Community
The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms.
Society
(uncountable) High society.
Smith was first introduced into society at the Duchess of Grand Fenwick's annual rose garden party.
Community
(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition.
Society
A number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act toward a common goal.
Community
(countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune.
Society
The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way; companionship; fellowship; company.
There is society where none intrudesBy the deep sea, and music in its roar.
Community
A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other.
Society
Connection; participation; partnership.
The meanest of the people and such as have the least society with the acts and crimes of kings.
Community
A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community.
Society
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.
Community
(uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.
Society
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.
Community
Common enjoyment or possession; participation.
A community of goods
Society
Specifically, the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments.
Community
Common character; likeness.
Society
An extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Society
A formal association of people with similar interests;
He joined a golf club
They formed a small lunch society
Men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today
Community
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.
Society
The state of being with someone;
He missed their company
He enjoyed the society of his friends
Community
Common possession or enjoyment; participation; as, a community of goods.
The original community of all things.
An unreserved community of thought and feeling.
Society
The fashionable elite
Community
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.
Creatures that in communities exist.
Society
The totality of social relationships among humans.
The study delves deep into the intricacies of ancient Greek society.
Community
Society at large; a commonwealth or state; a body politic; the public, or people in general.
Burdens upon the poorer classes of the community.
Community
Common character; likeness.
The essential community of nature between organic growth and inorganic growth.
Community
Commonness; frequency.
Eyes . . . sick and blunted with community.
Community
A group of people living in a particular local area;
The team is drawn from all parts of the community
Community
A group of people having ethnic or cultural or religious characteristics in common;
The Christian community of the apostolic age
He was well known throughout the Catholic community
Community
Common ownership;
They shared a community of possessions
Community
A group of nations having common interests;
They hoped to join the NATO community
Community
The body of people in a learned occupation;
The news spread rapidly through the medical community
Community
Agreement as to goals;
The preachers and the bootleggers found they had a community of interests
Community
A district where people live; occupied primarily by private residences
Community
(ecology) a group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
FAQs
What are societal norms?
They are shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a society.
How do societies evolve over time?
Societies change due to factors like technology, cultural shifts, economic changes, and historical events.
Is a community always defined by a physical location?
No, communities can also be based on shared interests, online interactions, or beliefs.
Can a single society consist of multiple communities?
Yes, many communities can coexist within a larger society.
Can you belong to multiple communities at once?
Yes, an individual can be part of various communities based on location, interest, profession, etc.
How do communities enhance individual well-being?
Communities provide support, a sense of belonging, shared resources, and social interactions.
Can online forums be considered communities?
Yes, online forums where members interact and share common interests are virtual communities.
Are societies always large?
While societies tend to be broader in scope than communities, they can vary in size.
What's the role of laws in society?
Laws provide structure, maintain order, and establish rights and responsibilities in a society.
Is a family a type of community?
Yes, a family can be considered a basic or primary community.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
