15 Other Ways to Say “People” (With Examples)

Are you tired of constantly relying on the word “people” in every presentation and document? This overuse leads to monotonous writing and often fails to capture the precise nuance of the group you’re describing (e.g., an audience, residents, or a community).

If you’re seeking Other Ways to Say People to make your language more precise, professional, and visually engaging, you’ve found the ultimate resource. We’ll help you solve the problem of linguistic inaccuracy and elevate your writing style instantly.

What Can We Say Instead of People?

1. Individuals
2. Folks
3. Persons
4. Group
5. Crowd
6. Community
7. Team
8. Audience
9. Population
10. Crew
11. Society
12. Gathering
13. Peers
14. Citizens
15. Collective

1. Individuals

Individuals is a neutral, precise phrase used as an alternative to “people,” emphasizing distinct persons with their own identities, often in formal, academic, or professional contexts where specificity about separate entities is needed.

It conveys a respectful, individualistic tone, making it suitable for reports, surveys, or discussions focusing on personal agency or characteristics.

Using “individuals” to describe people adds a formal, distinct nuance that highlights personal uniqueness, distinguishing it from the collective “people” by focusing on each person’s autonomy, such as when discussing specific contributors or participants.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when you want to refer to people as separate entities with unique qualities, ensuring clarity and respect in descriptions or analyses.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a researcher presenting survey results at a conference, charts projected, and attendees taking notes in a lecture hall. You want to highlight the distinct respondents who shared their views. You could say: “Individuals.”
• Imagine you’re writing a report about employee feedback in an office, documents open and coffee steaming at your desk. You want to emphasize each worker’s unique input. You might say: “Individuals.”

2. Folks

Folks is a warm, informal phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to a group in a friendly, approachable way, often in casual or community settings where familiarity creates a relaxed tone.

It suggests a down-to-earth, welcoming tone, ideal for conversations, community events, or storytelling where a sense of camaraderie is desired.

Using “folks” to describe people adds a cozy, inclusive nuance that feels personal and unpretentious, contrasting with the neutral “people” by evoking a sense of shared connection or neighborliness.

This expression is particularly fitting when addressing people in a friendly, relatable manner, fostering a sense of warmth and inclusion in social or informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a neighbor hosting a barbecue, grilling food, and music playing in a lively backyard with kids running around. You want to address the gathered guests warmly. You could say: “Folks.”
• Imagine you’re giving a welcome speech at a local club meeting, chairs arranged and snacks shared in a community center. You want to greet attendees in a friendly way. You might say: “Folks.”

3. Persons

Person is a formal, specific phrase used as an alternative to “people,” denoting individual human beings with an emphasis on legal or official contexts, often in documentation or announcements where precision is required.

It conveys a professional, exact tone, suitable for legal notices, policies, or formal reports where clarity about individuals is critical.

Using “persons” to refer to people adds a precise, official nuance that feels structured and authoritative, distinguishing it from the general “people” by focusing on countable, specific individuals.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when addressing people in formal or legalistic settings, ensuring accuracy and professionalism in communication.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a lawyer drafting a public notice about a case, papers spread on an office desk with a quiet hum of work around. You want to specify affected individuals clearly. You could say: “Persons.”
• Imagine you’re announcing safety rules at a public event, microphone on, and crowd gathered in an open park. You want to address attendees formally. You might say: “Persons.”

4. Group

A group is a collective, organizational phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to a specific set of individuals united by a common purpose or characteristic, often in teamwork, social, or study contexts where collaboration is key.

It suggests a cohesive, purposeful tone, ideal for meetings, classes, or events where a defined collective is highlighted.

Using “group” to describe people adds a unified, structured nuance that feels collaborative and focused, contrasting with the broad “people” by emphasizing a shared goal or identity.

This expression is particularly fitting when referring to people as a cohesive unit, fostering a sense of teamwork or shared purpose in descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a team leader addressing colleagues during a project kickoff, whiteboards marked, and laptops open in a conference room. You want to refer to the team as a unit. You could say: “Group.”
• Imagine you’re organizing a book club discussion, members seated in a circle with novels open in a cozy library. You want to address the readers collectively. You might say: “Group.”

5. Crowd

Crowd is a lively, large-scale phrase used as an alternative to “people,” denoting a large, often loosely organized gathering of individuals, commonly in public events, protests, or social scenes where numbers create energy.

It conveys an energetic, bustling tone, suitable for concerts, markets, or rallies where the collective mass is emphasized.

Using “crowd” to describe people adds a dynamic, populous nuance that feels vibrant and communal, distinguishing it from neutral “people” by highlighting scale and atmosphere.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when referring to people in large, active gatherings, evoking a sense of excitement or shared experience in descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a festival organizer addressing attendees at a music event, stages lit and music pulsing under a starry sky. You want to capture the energy of the gathered masses. You could say: “Crowd.”
• Imagine you’re describing a busy market scene to a friend, stalls bustling and shoppers haggling under colorful awnings. You want to emphasize the lively gathering. You might say: “Crowd.”

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6. Community

Community is a unifying, relational phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to a group bound by shared interests, location, or values, often in social, local, or cultural contexts where connection is emphasized.

It suggests a warm, collective tone, ideal for neighborhood events, online groups, or cultural discussions where belonging is key.

Using “community” to describe people adds a connected, supportive nuance that feels inclusive and purposeful, contrasting with generic “people” by highlighting shared identity or purpose.

This expression is particularly fitting when addressing people as a cohesive, supportive group, fostering a sense of unity and belonging in narratives or addresses.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a volunteer coordinator speaking at a charity event, tables set and banners hung in a community hall. You want to address the supportive attendees warmly. You could say: “Community.”
• Imagine you’re posting in an online forum for hobbyists, threads active and members sharing tips in a digital space. You want to refer to the group’s shared passion. You might say: “Community.”

7. Team

Team is a collaborative, purpose-driven phrase used as an alternative to “people,” referring to a group working together toward a common goal, often in work, sports, or projects where cooperation is central.

It conveys a motivated, unified tone, suitable for workplaces, sports events, or group tasks where collective effort is highlighted.

Using “team” to describe people adds a cooperative, goal-oriented nuance that feels dynamic and focused, distinguishing it from general “people” by emphasizing shared objectives.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when referring to people as a united workforce, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared mission in descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a coach addressing players before a game, the locker room buzzing, and uniforms ready under bright lights. You want to inspire the athletes as a unit. You could say: “Team.”
• Imagine you’re leading a startup meeting, ideas flowing, and whiteboards filled in a vibrant office. You want to refer to colleagues as a collaborative group. You might say: “Team.”

8. Audience

Audience is a receptive, attentive phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to a group gathered to observe or listen, often in performances, presentations, or media contexts where engagement is key.

It suggests an engaged, focused tone, ideal for theaters, webinars, or speeches where the group’s attention is central.

Using “audience” to describe people adds a participatory, listening nuance that feels specific and attentive, contrasting with broad “people” by focusing on their role as observers.

This expression is particularly fitting when addressing people as listeners or viewers, highlighting their engagement in events or content.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a speaker addressing attendees at a seminar, slides projected, and seats filled in a conference hall. You want to acknowledge the attentive listeners. You could say: “Audience.”
• Imagine you’re hosting a virtual workshop, webcams on, and participants typing in a digital classroom. You want to refer to the engaged learners. You might say: “Audience.”

9. Population

Population is a broad, demographic phrase used as an alternative to “people,” referring to a large group within a specific area or category, often in statistical, sociological, or public contexts where scale is emphasized.

It conveys an analytical, collective tone, suitable for reports, studies, or discussions about societal trends or groups.

Using “population” to describe people adds a statistical, overarching nuance that feels formal and comprehensive, distinguishing it from casual “people” by focusing on large-scale groups.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when referring to people in a broad, demographic sense, ensuring clarity in analytical or research contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a researcher presenting data on urban trends, graphs displayed and colleagues nodding in a university lecture room. You want to refer to city residents broadly. You could say: “Population.”
• Imagine you’re writing a policy brief on health trends, laptop open and notes organized at a quiet desk. You want to address a country’s citizens statistically. You might say: “Population.”

10. Crew

Crew is a tight-knit, working phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to a small, organized group collaborating on a task, often in creative, technical, or operational settings like film, sailing, or projects.

It suggests a dynamic, cooperative tone, ideal for production teams, workgroups, or informal collectives where camaraderie drives effort.

Using “crew” to describe people adds a close-knit, task-focused nuance that feels energetic and bonded, contrasting with the general “people” by emphasizing teamwork and shared roles.

This expression is particularly fitting when referring to people as a dedicated, hands-on group, fostering a sense of unity and action in descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a film director addressing staff on a movie set, cameras rolling, and lights adjusted in a busy studio. You want to acknowledge the collaborative workers. You could say: “Crew.”
• Imagine you’re thanking volunteers at a festival cleanup, trash bags filled and tents folding in a lively park. You want to refer to the hardworking team. You might say: “Crew.”

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11. Society

Society is a broad, cultural phrase used as an alternative to “people,” referring to a collective bound by shared norms or culture, often in sociological, historical, or formal contexts where group dynamics are explored.

It conveys an intellectual, collective tone, suitable for essays, speeches, or discussions about cultural or social trends.

Using “society” to describe people adds a cultural, structural nuance that feels expansive and analytical, distinguishing it from everyday “people” by focusing on shared systems or values.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when addressing people as a cultural or social entity, highlighting their role in a larger societal framework.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a professor lecturing on cultural shifts, slides projected, and students scribbling in a university auditorium. You want to refer to the broader group affected. You could say: “Society.”
• Imagine you’re writing an editorial on social trends, desk cluttered and news articles open on your screen. You want to address the collective impacted by changes. You might say: “Society.”

12. Gathering

Gathering is a social, event-based phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to a group assembled for a specific occasion, often in celebrations, meetings, or casual events where the act of coming together is key.

It suggests a warm, purposeful tone, ideal for parties, reunions, or community events where the collective experience is emphasized.

Using “gathering” to describe people adds an event-focused, communal nuance that feels festive and inclusive, contrasting with static “people” by highlighting the act of assembling.

This expression is particularly fitting when referring to people in the context of an event, evoking a sense of shared purpose or celebration.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a host welcoming guests at a family reunion, tables set, and laughter echoing in a sunny backyard. You want to address the assembled relatives warmly. You could say: “Gathering.”
• Imagine you’re describing a protest to a friend, signs waving and voices chanting in a crowded city square. You want to highlight the collective attendees. You might say: “Gathering.”

13. Peers

Peers is a relational, equal phrase used as an alternative to “people,” referring to individuals of similar status, age, or role, often in professional, academic, or social contexts where equality or shared experience is key.

It conveys a collegial, balanced tone, suitable for workplaces, classrooms, or groups where camaraderie among equals prevails.

Using “peers” to describe people adds a relational, egalitarian nuance that feels collaborative and respectful, distinguishing it from broad “people” by focusing on shared status or roles.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when addressing people as equals in a shared context, fostering a sense of mutual respect and connection.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a team member addressing colleagues during a brainstorming session, whiteboards filled, and coffee cups scattered in a meeting room. You want to refer to coworkers as equals. You could say: “Peers.”
• Imagine you’re speaking at a student council meeting, agendas open, and classmates debating in a school library. You want to address fellow students respectfully. You might say: “Peers.”

14. Citizens

Citizens is a civic, formal phrase serving as an alternative to “people,” referring to individuals within a political or national community, often in governmental, public, or patriotic contexts where civic identity is emphasized.

It suggests an official, communal tone, ideal for speeches, policies, or news addressing a nation’s or city’s residents.

Using “citizens” to describe people adds a civic, duty-oriented nuance that feels authoritative and inclusive, contrasting with the general “people” by focusing on shared governance or nationality.

This expression is particularly fitting when addressing people as members of a civic body, highlighting their role in a societal or political structure.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have a mayor addressing residents at a town hall, microphone on and banners hung in a community center. You want to refer to the local populace formally. You could say: “Citizens.”
• Imagine you’re writing a newsletter about city policies, laptop open and city hall photos included in a quiet office. You want to address the community officially. You might say: “Citizens.”

15. Collective

Collective is an abstract, unified phrase used as an alternative to “people,” referring to a group acting as a single entity, often in philosophical, organizational, or artistic contexts where unity is emphasized.

It conveys a cohesive, conceptual tone, suitable for discussions, manifestos, or projects where the group’s shared action or identity is key.

Using “collective” to describe people adds a unified, purposeful nuance that feels intellectual and collaborative, distinguishing from broad “people” by emphasizing a singular, shared effort.

This phrase is particularly appropriate when referring to people as a unified force, fostering a sense of shared purpose or identity in descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Suppose you have an artist describing a collaborative project at a gallery opening, artworks displayed, and guests mingling under soft lighting. You want to refer to the contributing group as a unit. You could say: “Collective.”
• Imagine you’re discussing a community initiative with activists, plans sketched and voices passionate in a meeting room. You want to highlight the unified group effort. You might say: “Collective.”

Conclusion

Choosing Other Ways to Say People is key to unlocking richer, more compelling writing. This simple shift moves your language beyond the ordinary, granting your descriptions greater depth, clarity, and eloquence. Every time you select a specialized term over a generic one, you are communicating with enhanced power and authority. Stop letting a single word limit your expression! For an expanded library of synonyms and tools for impactful communication, visit our central vocabulary resource at Other Way to Say.