# civilian

/səˈvɪɫjən/ (US) · /sɪvˈɪliən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/civilian
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. non-military person

noun · CEFR B2

someone who is not a member of the armed forces or the police.

For teachers: a person who is not an active member of the military, police, or a fire department.

- The treaty was designed to protect civilians during the conflict.
- International law mandates that all parties in a conflict must distinguish between combatants and civilians to prevent unnecessary loss of life.

Usage: Often used in the plural to refer to the general population during a war.

### 2. an outsider

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

someone who does not belong to a specific professional group or subculture.

For teachers: a person who is not a member of a particular profession, specialized group, or subculture. Informal in register.

- The doctors used so much medical jargon that the civilians in the room were confused.
- Within the tight-knit community of professional skaters, anyone who doesn't understand the culture is dismissed as a civilian.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used humorously or slightly dismissively by professionals to describe 'regular' people.

### 3. not military

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to ordinary people who are not in the military.

For teachers: relating to or characteristic of the general public as opposed to the armed forces.

- He decided to leave the army and return to civilian life.
- The transition from a rigid military structure to the flexibility of civilian employment can be challenging for many veterans.

## Examples

- The soldiers were careful to protect every civilian in the area.
- After the war ended, many soldiers found it difficult to adjust to civilian life and office jobs.
- International law provides specific protections for any civilian caught in a conflict zone, requiring that they be treated humanely and kept separate from military targets.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.