General definitions of the concept of „social conflict” are surprisingly rare in conflict and peace research. Most of the definitions that are offered in the literature are quite obviously inadequate: either they aretoo narrow, too broad, or even both. This suggests an impossibility of a clear-cut definition and implies that „social conflict” is a cluster concept referring to a variety of phenomena that only share varying characteristics. Even if that was true it would still be worthwhile to aim at a definition – if only to get a better grasp of the fuzziness of the concept. This paper begins with a discussion of the requirements a general definition of „social conflict” must fulfil. For example, it should identify social conflicts as a special type of social relationship and distinguish conflicts from mere competition. Then I offer a definition of the concept that, unlike other definitions, attaches special importance to social norms. Finally, two questions are raised that point to possibilities of, or the need for, further conceptual refinement.