humane

CEFRB2

/hjuːˈmeɪn/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Showing kindness and avoiding unnecessary suffering.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Pertaining to branches of learning concerned with human affairs or the humanities, especially classical literature or rhetoric.

Examples

  • His way of looking after the animals is very humane.

  • Isn't that the most humane punishment for criminals?

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /hjʉːˈmæɪn/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Having or showing concern for the pain or suffering of another; compassionate.

More examples

In context

  • As methods of execution go, beheading is more humane than drawing and quartering.

  • It is no longer considered humane to perform vivisection on research animals.

  • many divine precepts to counterpoise our hearts, special antidotes both in scriptures and humane authors, which who so will observe, shall purchase much ease and quietness unto himself.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The organization works to ensure blank treatment of animals in all research labs.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle English humain, humayne, from Old French humain, umain, from Latin hūmānus, from Latin homō (“man”). Cognate with Old English guma (“man”), whence the groom in English bridegroom.