TechnologyAugust 21, 2026

anthropomorphic

AN-thruh-puh-MOR-fik

Definition

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities like robots or AI systems.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek 'anthropos' (human) and 'morphe' (form), combined with the suffix '-ic' to describe the attribution of human form or personality to something else.

In the news

In the article, the term is used to describe how robots designed with social or human-like traits are more likely to cause humans to unconsciously mirror them, leading to 'reduced personhood.'

Are You in Danger of Becoming a Robot?

Read the full article ↗

Nautilus | Science

Related words

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.