Word

civilian

noun C1

/sɪˈvɪl.jən/

Meanings

noun

a person who is not in the armed forces (and often not in the police or other security services)

adjective

connected with people’s ordinary life rather than the military

Definition

A civilian is a person who is not a member of the armed forces or the police.

A civilian is someone who does not belong to the military, and in many contexts it also contrasts with police or other uniformed services. The word is often used in discussions of conflict, security, or emergencies to distinguish ordinary people from combatants or officials. It can also describe jobs or clothes that are not military in style or purpose.

Examples

As a civilian, I found the checkpoint procedures confusing but necessary.
You should keep your ID accessible if you are a civilian entering the restricted area.
He worked as a civilian contractor on the base, but he never wore a uniform.
She spoke calmly about the impact the operation had on civilian life in the region.
They created separate evacuation routes so civilian families could move safely and quickly.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes use civilian to mean “polite” or “civilised,” but it specifically means “not military (and often not police).”