Learn English – What word means “the people in one’s life”

single-word-requests

I am looking for the closest single word which refers only to those people who are directly connected to a person's life. Most specifically, this the meaning of the word should include co-workers, classmates, friend, and family members, but should not include strangers.

Best Answer

How about kith? I had always assumed that kith excluded family members (because of the phrase "kith and kin") but it seems to have about the definition and connotation you desire.

Definition of KITH: familiar friends, neighbors, or relatives

Of course the word isn't commonly used outside of that one particular phrase, but still, it seems to fit.

Here's the etymology of it.