Word
samaritan
Phoneticssamar·i·tan
US/səˈmɛɹɪtən/
UK/sɐmˈæɹɪtən/
Definitions
01a helpful person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who helps a person in trouble, especially a stranger who needs help.
n. a person who voluntarily provides help or sympathy to those in distress, particularly strangers.
“A kind samaritan helped me change my flat tyre in the pouring rain.”
“The stranger acted as a true samaritan, staying with the injured cyclist until the ambulance arrived at the scene.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'Good Samaritan'.
Synonyms
02the religious/ethnic group
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal
n. a member of a specific group of people from the region of Samaria, mentioned in the Bible.
n. a member of an ethnoreligious group of the Levant, descended from ancient Semitic inhabitants of Samaria.
“The history book explained the ancient traditions of the Samaritan people.”
“Scholars continue to study the unique liturgical practices that distinguish the Samaritan community from mainstream Judaism.”
03helpline volunteer
C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English
n. a volunteer who talks to people on the phone who are very sad or feeling hopeless.
n. a volunteer for the Samaritans, a UK-based charity providing emotional support to those in emotional distress or at risk of suicide.
“He spent his Saturday nights working as a Samaritan, listening to people in need.”
“After undergoing extensive training, she began her service as a Samaritan to support those struggling with mental health crises.”
Teaching tip
In the UK, 'The Samaritans' is a well-known charity; referring to someone as 'a Samaritan' in this context specifically implies they work for this organisation.
Synonyms
04relating to Samaria
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Academic
adj. relating to the people or the region of Samaria.
adj. pertaining to Samaria, its inhabitants, or their specific dialect and religious traditions.
Español:samaritano
“The museum displayed several ancient Samaritan manuscripts.”
“The researcher specialised in Samaritan Hebrew, noting its distinct phonological differences from the Tiberian tradition.”
Real-World Examples
“Twenty miles away in Stratford, her friends at a family club have raised money for a bench engraved with her name and a number for the Samaritans suicide helpline.” Etymology
From Latin Samarītānus, from Ancient Greek Σαμαρείτης (Samareítēs), from Σαμαρεία (Samareía, “Samaria”), derived from Biblical Hebrew שֹׁמְרוֹנִים (Šōmərôním) and שֹׁמְרוֹן (Šōmərôn) respectively. Attested in Old English.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. good Samaritan
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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/samaritan
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0