civilian
civilian — noun
1. a person who does not serve in the military, the police, or any armed group and
a person who does not serve in the military, the police, or any armed group and therefore is not part of active combat.
The bomb attack killed twelve soldiers and three civilians.
After leaving the army, Diego returned to civilian life and started a small farm.
collocation: civilian life
Aid workers reported that most of those killed in the fighting were ordinary civilians.
International law strictly forbids targeting unarmed civilians during combat.
When the war reached their town, Leila's family fled with other civilians to the coast.
- noncombatant
narrower term used in wartime for military personnel who do not fight (e.g., medics, chaplains) — not a full synonym
- ordinary person
less specific; describes anyone not notable, without the military/police contrast
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the plural (civilians), especially in news reports about armed conflict. Common set phrases: innocent civilians, civilian casualties, civilian population. Unlike 'citizen', this word only applies to people outside military or police service, regardless of nationality.
常見錯誤
2. a person who lacks fame or does not belong to a specific professional circle or
a person who lacks fame or does not belong to a specific professional circle or group.
The book explains medical terms in a way that civilians can understand.
contrast: civilians vs. medical professionals
At the film festival, Nadia felt like a civilian among famous directors.
The senator's speech was too full of jargon for most civilians to follow.
At the town hall meeting, the engineer's jargon confused civilians like Ravi in the audience.
To the music critics, Rohan seemed like an ordinary civilian, not a performer.
- layperson
more specific — someone without professional training in a given field
- ordinary person
direct synonym with no special nuance
- outsider
stronger connotation of being excluded, not just outside a group
- celebrity
a famous person
- professional
someone with expert knowledge in a field
用法筆記
Often paired with 'ordinary' or 'just/really' to highlight the contrast with experts, celebrities, or insiders. This sense carries no military meaning — it is about being outside a particular circle or profession.
常見錯誤
civilian — adjective
1. relating to people who are not in the military or police, or describing things t
relating to people who are not in the military or police, or describing things that belong to or are used by such people.
The new government promised a transition from military to civilian rule.
collocation: civilian rule
Civilian clothes felt strange to Yusuf after years in uniform.
collocation: civilian clothes
The rebels attacked a civilian airport, killing several travelers.
After retiring from the navy, Greta found a job in the civilian sector.
The group provides medical supplies to both military and civilian hospitals.
- non-military
direct synonym, often used interchangeably
- civil
much broader; relates to ordinary citizens and everyday life, not specifically the non-military contrast
文法句型
civilian + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive). Cannot be used predicatively (*'The government is civilian'). Common in political news: civilian government, civilian control, civilian leadership. 'Civilian clothes' refers to ordinary clothes as opposed to a uniform.