Word
humanitarian
Phoneticshu·man·i·tar·i·an, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌhjuˌmænəˈtɛɹiən/
UK/hjˌuːmɐnɪtˈeəɹiən/
Definitions
01helping people in need
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. connected with helping people who are suffering and improving their lives.
adj. concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare, particularly in the context of alleviating suffering during crises.
“The government sent humanitarian aid to the families affected by the earthquake.”
“International agencies are calling for a humanitarian corridor to ensure that food and medical supplies reach the besieged city safely.”
Synonyms
02religious belief
C2 · Proficiency Religion Formal · Technical
adj. a rare word for the belief that Jesus was a human being and not a god.
adj. pertaining to the theological belief that Jesus Christ was purely human and possessed no divine nature.
“The professor explained the humanitarian view of Christ in early church history.”
“The thesis explores the development of humanitarian christology within certain nineteenth-century radical theological circles.”
Usage
This sense is restricted to academic or theological discussions.
03historical philosophy
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Archaic · Formal
n. an old word for someone who follows the philosophy of humanism.
n. a historical synonym for a humanist, referring to an adherent of the philosophy of humanism.
“In the old book, the author describes himself as a humanitarian and a lover of science.”
“The nineteenth-century text uses the term humanitarian to describe those who rejected supernaturalism in favour of human-centred ethics.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'humanist' is almost always used instead of 'humanitarian' for this philosophical meaning.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “humanitarian” in context.
Verb
01. avert a humanitarian disaster
“Immediate international intervention is required to avert a humanitarian disaster.”
verb + adj + noun
02. provide humanitarian assistance
“Several NGOs have stepped in to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced families.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. humanitarian aid
“The government is coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the earthquake victims.”
adj + noun
04. humanitarian crisis
“The ongoing conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.”
adj + noun
05. humanitarian grounds
“The prisoner was released on humanitarian grounds due to his deteriorating health.”
adj + noun
06. purely humanitarian
“The organization insists that its mission is purely humanitarian and not political.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. humanitarian relief effort
“The humanitarian relief effort was hampered by the destruction of local infrastructure.”
noun + noun
08. humanitarian law
“The report accused both sides of violating international humanitarian law during the siege.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine has left civilians vulnerable to repeated deadly attacks and humanitarian workers and key facilities being targeted and destroyed.” “UN agencies and partners are facing mounting challenges that are affecting the delivery of essential services across Gaza, choking humanitarian movement and operational capacity.” “Humanitarian assessments are ongoing, particularly in the hardest-hit areas around Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo, where disruptions to communications, transport and public services continue to impede relief operations.” “The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and former allies the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in April 2023, sparking the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis.” Etymology
From humanity + -arian (suffix indicating an advocate of or believer in something), possibly modelled after Unitarian (“Christian who does not believe in the doctrine of the Trinity; pertaining to Unitarianism”) (see noun sense 2 and verb sense 2).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/humanitarian