civilian
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /sɪˈvɪl.jən/
KK: /sɪˈvɪl.jən/
adjective
Definition
Relating to people who are not members of the military or armed forces; associated with everyday life and activities.
Example
She decided to wear civilian clothes instead of her uniform.
Conversation
I saw a documentary about the civilian life after the war.
That sounds interesting! What did they focus on?
They showed how people adjusted to a more civilian lifestyle.
Wow, I can imagine that was a big change for them.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
nonmilitary
domestic
civil
Antonyms
military
combatant
hostile
noun
Definition
A person who is not a member of the military, police, or any armed group, and who lives a normal life in society.
Example
The civilian population was evacuated before the conflict escalated.
Conversation
Did you hear about the civilian who helped during the protest last week?
Yeah, I saw that! It's great to see people stepping up like that.
Absolutely! It really shows how much a single civilian can make a difference.
Root Explanation
Civilian → It is formed from "civis" (meaning citizen) and the suffix "-ian" (meaning relating to or belonging to). The word "civilian" refers to a person who is a citizen, particularly in contrast to a member of the military or police.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'citizen' ('civis') and remember that a 'civilian' is someone who belongs to the general population, not the military.
Visually Confused Words
procivilian