What does civilian mean?
A civilian is a person who does not belong to the armed forces or police — in other words, an ordinary member of society rather than someone in uniform. The word is central to discussions of war and public safety, where phrases such as "civilian casualties" or "civilian population" distinguish non-combatants from those engaged in fighting; international law specifically recognizes this distinction, obliging combatants to protect civilians. Beyond its military use, "civilian" has a broader figurative sense: members of any specialized field — soldiers, doctors, engineers — may refer to outsiders as civilians, meaning people without insider knowledge or training. Derived from Latin roots relating to citizenship and civic life, the word entered English around the early nineteenth century. It is a useful, widely understood term whose core connotation is neutrality and ordinariness, though in professional jargon it can carry a hint of playful separation between experts and everyone else.
A person who is not a member of the armed forces or police.
"Civilians were evacuated from the town before the offensive began."
In international humanitarian law, "civilian" is a legally defined status distinct from that of a combatant.
Relating to ordinary citizens or non-military life rather than the armed forces.
"After leaving the army, she found it hard to adjust to a civilian job."
Standard English plural; commonly used in news reporting and official documents.
"Thousands of civilians were displaced by the flooding."
Every soldier's uniform tells you who they are — and "civilian" exists precisely to name everyone the uniform isn't.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of civilian
The word "civilian" derives ultimately from the Latin "civilis," meaning "relating to a citizen or the state," which in turn comes from "civis," meaning "citizen." It shares this root with words such as "civil," "civility," and "civic." "Civilian" entered English in the early nineteenth century, initially referring to a student or practitioner of civil (non-military) law, before narrowing to its now-dominant sense of a person not serving in the armed forces.
How civilian is actually used
Primarily used as a noun; it carries no inherent formality but appears most often in news, legal, and military contexts. When used informally by members of a profession to describe outsiders, it can sound slightly wry or exclusionary. The adjective sense of "civilian" (e.g., "a civilian career") also exists and is common.
Easily confused with civilian
"Civil" is an adjective relating to citizens, the state, or polite behaviour, whereas "civilian" is a noun denoting a person who is not in the armed forces.