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social media

social media

162 2.3
Websites or apps that let people share messages, photos, and videos online
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə/
  • Texting
translation icon : redes sociales
  • The result indicates that the relationship between user engagement with social media and actual library usage is positive.
  • use social media
  • a social media site
  • social media users

I think what's new is social media and cable news.

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Examples

  • Many businesses use social media to connect with their customers and promote their products.

  • Break down virtual walls by using the web and social media to promote programs and services.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Now I do my own social media, I always have.

  • And then social media became quite a big thing.

  • We can call for help on social media!

  • The second is your total lack of presence on social media.

  • It's a good thing you posted those videos on social media.

  • As is to be expected, social media websites are talking about nothing else.

  • Through engagement in library social media, the likelihood of using the library will increase.

    Academic text (2018)
  • I know it seems like a bummer now, but how refreshing is it to get a chance to take a break from social media?

Synonyms

social networking service
vssocial media
  • Texting
1 3.2

A website or app that helps people connect and share messages and photos

focuses more broadly on creating and sharing content and general online interaction

Antonyms

172 3.7

A state of being alone and cut off from other people physically or emotionally

off-line
  • Specialized
2 3.1

Not connected to the internet or a computer

How Interactive

messenger
  • Texting
31 2.8
social media
  • Texting
162 2.3
forum
  • Texting
430 3.2
to stream online
  • Texting
1 3.7
blog
  • Texting
2.7

Surface Forms

social media singular
social medias plural

Morphology

social + media

The compound combines 'social' (relating to communal interaction) + 'media' (means/platforms of communication), so its meaning as platforms used for social interaction and sharing is directly derivable from the parts. This noun-noun composition is productive in English and mirrored in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Social media comes from joining social (people connecting and talking) and media (ways to send news or messages, like newspapers or radio). One popular idea is that old one-way 'media' became places where everyone can post and talk, so social media now means 'websites or apps where people create and share content and interact with others online'.