humanise
humanise — verb
- humanisepresent simple I / you / we / they
- humanises3rd person singular
- humanising-ing form
- humanisedpast simple
1. to change a system, process, or physical space so that it feels kinder, more com
to change a system, process, or physical space so that it feels kinder, more comfortable, and better suited to people's needs rather than being cold or harsh
Dr. Okafor insisted that the hospital install softer lighting to humanise the waiting areas.
passive: humanise [place] with [change]
Ananya's team redesigned the office layout to humanise the work environment for everyone.
humanise + noun phrase (environment)
Prison reform groups are pushing the government to humanise detention conditions across the country.
The new CEO introduced flexible hours to humanise the company's strict management policies.
- dehumanise
to make something feel impersonal, cold, or mechanical
文法句型
humanise + noun phrase (system / place / process / conditions)
用法筆記
Often used in passive voice. The direct object is typically an institution, environment, or set of rules — not a person. Frequently appears in discussions about workplace reform, healthcare, and criminal justice.
常見錯誤
2. to make a person seem more familiar or relatable when portraying or describing t
to make a person seem more familiar or relatable when portraying or describing them, by focusing on ordinary traits, failures, or emotions — for instance, showing a powerful leader's daily habits or a celebrity's private struggles
The documentary humanises the scientist by showing her watering plants in the garden every morning.
humanise + noun phrase + by + gerund
Amir's biography tries to humanise the former president by describing his ordinary fears and doubts.
The film humanises the refugees by focusing on each person's unique story.
Sofia's article humanised the mayor by describing her weekly trips to the local market.
- personalise
overlaps in meaning but is broader; personalise can mean adding a name or customising details, not necessarily revealing human traits
- characterise
more neutral; does not carry the emotional or sympathetic angle of humanise
- demonise
to portray someone as evil or frightening, the opposite of showing their sympathetic human side
文法句型
humanise + noun phrase (person / character / figure)
用法筆記
Common in media, biography, and film criticism. The subject is often a writer, journalist, documentary maker, or work of art. The object is a person or group seen as distant, powerful, or misunderstood.
常見錯誤
3. to treat a non-human creature, object, or natural force as if it had human thoug
to treat a non-human creature, object, or natural force as if it had human thoughts, feelings, or behaviour — for example, describing the wind as angry or the moon as lonely
Children's books often humanise animals by making them talk and wear clothes.
humanise + animal, making them [verb] and [verb]
The game designers humanised the AI opponent with a name and a personality.
Ancient myths often humanise natural forces like thunder and lightning as gods with human emotions.
Yuna's illustrated book humanises the moon as a lonely figure watching the Earth from above.
- anthropomorphise
more formal and technical; means the same thing but is much less common in everyday speech
- personify
similar but often used for abstract ideas (e.g. 'she personifies kindness') rather than animals or objects
- objectify
to treat a person as an object; the reverse direction of attributing humanity to something non-human
文法句型
humanise + noun phrase (animal / object / idea / machine)
用法筆記
Overlaps with the more technical term 'anthropomorphise', but humanise is more widely understood by general readers. Common in literary analysis, children's media, and discussions about artificial intelligence.