samaritan
samaritan — noun
- samaritansingular
- samaritansplural
1. A person who chooses to help a stranger who is in trouble or difficulty, especia
A person who chooses to help a stranger who is in trouble or difficulty, especially when no one else is willing to help.
When Mrs. Park's car broke down, a Samaritan stopped to help her change the tyre.
noun phrase 'a Samaritan' as helpful stranger
Tendai acted as a Samaritan by giving first aid to an injured cyclist.
collocation: 'act as a Samaritan'
Everyone walked past an old woman who had fallen, until a Samaritan stopped to help.
Antonia never forgot the Samaritan who paid for her groceries after she lost her purse.
- good Samaritan
the fuller fixed phrase, more explicitly linked to the Biblical parable
- helper
a more general term that does not imply helping a stranger specifically
- benefactor
more formal and usually refers to financial help rather than practical assistance
- bystander
someone who watches an event without getting involved
文法句型
a Samaritan
a good Samaritan
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'a good Samaritan', which comes from a Biblical story. The word can be used alone ('a Samaritan') with the same meaning.
常見錯誤
2. A UK-based charity that offers free, private emotional support to anyone who is
A UK-based charity that offers free, private emotional support to anyone who is feeling very worried, upset, or alone, available by telephone or online messaging.
Luca called the Samaritans when he had nobody else to talk to about his worries.
proper noun 'the Samaritans' as a helpline organization
The Samaritans offer a confidential phone line for people in a difficult time.
Many UK schools invite a speaker from the Samaritans to discuss mental health.
Vinícius found the number for the Samaritans on a poster inside the university library.
文法句型
the Samaritans
用法筆記
Always capitalised. Takes a plural verb in British English ('the Samaritans are…'). Used with the definite article 'the'.
常見錯誤
3. A trained member of the Samaritans charity whose job is to listen to callers and
A trained member of the Samaritans charity whose job is to listen to callers and offer them emotional support.
Indra has been a Samaritan for three years and answers around twenty calls every week.
noun phrase 'a Samaritan' meaning a volunteer for the charity
Each new Samaritan completes several months of training before taking calls alone.
Walid became a Samaritan to offer comfort to people in dark moments.
The charity relies on its Samaritans to be available at any hour, day or night.
- volunteer
a broader term; a Samaritan is a type of volunteer with specific training
文法句型
a Samaritan
用法筆記
Always capitalised. Refers specifically to a volunteer for the Samaritans charity, not to general volunteer work.