anthropological

UK: /ˌænθrəpəˈlɒdʒɪk^əl/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•thro•pol•o•gy /ˌænθrəˈpɑlədʒi/   n. [uncountable]

1. Anthropology the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological features, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.

an•thro•po•log•i•cal /ˌænθrəpəˈlɑdʒɪkəl/  adj. 
an•thro•po•log•i•cal•ly, adv. 
an•thro•pol•o•gist, n. [countable] See -anthro-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•thro•pol•o•gy  (an′thrə pol′ə jē), n. 

1. Anthropology the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.
2. Anthropology the study of human beings' similarity to and divergence from other animals.
3. Anthropology the science of humans and their works.
4. Philosophy Also called philosophical anthropology. the study of the nature and essence of humankind.

• 1585–95; anthropo- + -logy

an•thro•po•log•i•cal  (an′thrə pə loj′i kəl), an′thro•po•log′ic, adj.  an′thro•po•log′i•cal•ly, adv.