A pacifist is a person who believes that war is wrong and who will not use violence to get what they want. It is more than “I don’t like fighting.” A pacifist has a real position: killing and war are not acceptable ways to solve problems, even when other people say a war is needed. Some pacifists refuse to join the army. That can be a very serious life choice, and in some countries the law has a special path for it. People also use pacifist as an adjective: pacifist beliefs, a pacifist group. Though actually, in everyday talk someone may call a person a pacifist just because that person wants peace or hates one particular war. That is a looser use. A strict pacifist is against war as a method, not only against one side. The word feels serious and a little formal. You meet it in news, history, and arguments about right and wrong, more than in talk about a small playground fight. A pacifist is not necessarily quiet. Many speak out, march, and help people — they just will not use violence.