Samaritan

noun

Sa·​mar·​i·​tan sə-ˈmer-ə-tən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Samaria

2

[from the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37] : a person who is generous in helping those in distress

samaritan adjective often capitalized

Examples of Samaritan in a Sentence

A Samaritan called a tow truck for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Williams, the report says, straddled the woman’s twisted body, pinning her down until a good Samaritan stepped in and pushed Williams away. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2024

Another person who tried to intervene, described by Bailey as a good Samaritan, suffered bite wounds from the shooting suspect. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 25 June 2024

All proceeds benefit the Kilgore Samaritan Fund to provide counseling services to all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 6 June 2024

She and her siblings were born to a stray momma cat that a good Samaritan took in due to the condition that it was found. —The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin samaritanus, noun & adjective, from Greek samaritēs inhabitant of Samaria, from Samaria

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Samaritan

• Good Samaritan