Definition of People
Quick Meaning of People
More than one human being; a group of humans.
Detailed Definition of People
Human beings in general or collectively; more than one person.
How to Pronounce People
Stress pattern: Oo (2-syllable word).
Tip: Stress the first syllable: PEE-pul. The 'eo' sounds like 'ee' as in see.
Watch out: PEE-puls (adding s to the end) or PEH-pul (wrong vowel).
Origin and Etymology of People
From Old French peple, Latin populus (nation, multitude).
How to Use People in a Sentence
Each example shows “people” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“Many people live in big cities around the world.”
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“People need water and food to survive.”
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“Different people have different opinions about politics.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of People
Common Synonyms for People
Smart Synonyms for People — When to Use Each
- persons
- formal or legal contexts, referring to individuals
- folks
- casual, conversational way to refer to a group
- individuals
- emphasizing separate members of a group
Common Collocations with People
These phrases pair with “people” in everyday English:
- many people
- some people
- old people
- young people
- people say
Common Mistakes When Using People
Even fluent speakers slip up with “people”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: There is many people in the mall.
- ✓ Correct: There are many people in the mall.
- Why: People is plural, so use plural verb 'are', not singular 'is'.
- ✗ Wrong: I met five peoples yesterday.
- ✓ Correct: I met five people yesterday.
- Why: Use 'people' even with numbers. 'Peoples' is only for different ethnic groups.
Other Forms of People
- Noun: people
Frequently Asked Questions About People
What is the meaning of "People"?
More than one human being; a group of humans.
How do you pronounce "People"?
The IPA is /ˈpiːpəl/. Stress the first syllable: PEE-pul. The 'eo' sounds like 'ee' as in see.
What part of speech is "People"?
"People" is a noun at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "People"?
Common synonyms include persons, humans, individuals.
How do you use "People" in a sentence?
For example: "Many people live in big cities around the world."