Definition

A member of the group that includes modern humans and their extinct relatives, known for walking on two legs.

Example

Scientists study hominins to understand human evolution better.

Conversation

Did you know that the term hominin refers to modern humans and our ancient relatives?

Really? I always thought it just meant humans.

It includes both extinct and living species that are part of our evolutionary history.

That’s fascinating! I love learning about our origins.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hominin is derived from "homo" (from Latin, meaning man or human) and the suffix "-in" (used in taxonomy to denote a group or family). The term refers to the group that includes modern humans and their close relatives, emphasizing their shared characteristics as human-like beings.

Memory Tip

Think of 'homo' meaning man, and the '-in' suffix indicating a group. This helps you remember that 'hominin' refers to a group of human-like beings.

Visually Confused Words