A1 adjective Neutral #2,689 most common

humanitarian

/hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/

A humanitarian person or action tries to help people who are suffering. It is about being kind and providing things like food or medicine to those in need.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The group sent humanitarian help to the families after the storm.

The group sent humanitarian help to the families after the storm.

2

The government is providing humanitarian aid to the neighboring country.

The government is providing humanitarian aid to the neighboring country.

3

He does a lot of humanitarian work because he has a big heart.

He does a lot of humanitarian work because he has a big heart.

Word Family

Noun
humanitarian
Verb
humanize
Adverb
humanitarily
Adjective
humanitarian
Related
humanitarianism
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Memory Tip

Think of 'Human' + 'Aid'. A human providing aid to another human is doing humanitarian work.

Quick Quiz

The United Nations provides ___ aid to refugees around the world.

Correct!

The correct answer is: humanitarian

Examples

1

The group sent humanitarian help to the families after the storm.

everyday

The group sent humanitarian help to the families after the storm.

2

The government is providing humanitarian aid to the neighboring country.

formal

The government is providing humanitarian aid to the neighboring country.

3

He does a lot of humanitarian work because he has a big heart.

informal

He does a lot of humanitarian work because he has a big heart.

4

Researchers studied the effect of humanitarian efforts in war zones.

academic

Researchers studied the effect of humanitarian efforts in war zones.

5

Our business supports humanitarian projects in Africa every year.

business

Our business supports humanitarian projects in Africa every year.

Word Family

Noun
humanitarian
Verb
humanize
Adverb
humanitarily
Adjective
humanitarian
Related
humanitarianism

Common Collocations

humanitarian aid humanitarian aid
humanitarian crisis humanitarian crisis
humanitarian work humanitarian work
humanitarian organization humanitarian organization
humanitarian efforts humanitarian efforts

Common Phrases

on humanitarian grounds

on humanitarian grounds

humanitarian relief

humanitarian relief

humanitarian mission

humanitarian mission

Often Confused With

humanitarian vs human

'Human' refers to the species, while 'humanitarian' refers to the act of helping others.

humanitarian vs humane

'Humane' means showing kindness or avoiding cruelty, while 'humanitarian' usually involves organized social help.

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Usage Notes

Use this word when talking about large groups helping people in trouble, like after a flood or during a war. It can be used as an adjective (humanitarian aid) or as a noun for a person (He is a great humanitarian).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'human' when they mean 'humanitarian'. Also, do not forget that as a person, it is a countable noun (one humanitarian, two humanitarians).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Human' + 'Aid'. A human providing aid to another human is doing humanitarian work.

📖

Word Origin

From the French word 'humanitaire', which comes from the Latin 'humanus' meaning 'human'.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an adjective before nouns (e.g., humanitarian crisis). Used as a countable noun to describe a person. Does not change form when used as an adjective.
🌍

Cultural Context

This word is often linked to international organizations like the Red Cross or the United Nations.

Quick Quiz

The United Nations provides ___ aid to refugees around the world.

Correct!

The correct answer is: humanitarian

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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