uncivilized

[ uhn-siv-uh-lahyzd ]

adjective

1. not civilized civilized or cultured; barbarous.

uncivilized

/ ʌnˈsɪvɪˌlaɪzɪdlɪ; ʌnˈsɪvɪˌlaɪzd /

adjective

1. (of a tribe or people) not yet civilized, esp preliterate
2. lacking culture or sophistication

Derived Forms

• unˈciviˌlizedness, noun
• uncivilizedly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·civ·i·liz·ed·ly [uhn-, siv, -, uh, -lahy-zid-lee, -lahyzd-], adverb
• un·civi·lized·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncivilized¹

First recorded in 1600–10; un- ¹ + civilized

Example Sentences

Even if it took centuries, subject populations would “grow up,” and Britain would have to concede its sovereign claims to empire when its discerning eye judged the once “uncivilized” to be fully evolved.

From Time

PREA was designed to fight back against the uncivilized nightmare we let flourish inside our prison walls.

From The Daily Beast

While we watch fires ablaze in the Middle East and judge other peoples as uncivilized, have we not lost civilization here?

From The Daily Beast

I took her out for gin and tried to get her to smoke pot, but she thought all of that was uncivilized.

From The Daily Beast

It may be said that among uncivilized and barefoot people the great toe is usually very mobile.

From Project Gutenberg

Is an uncivilized state of society the cause of good poetry, or only an attendant circumstance?

From Project Gutenberg

There are no uncivilized savages in this province except the Appaches, of whom I have spoken largely.

From Project Gutenberg

But what we tolerate in uncivilized lands, even where we are ostensibly rulers, we will not suffer in our own.

From Project Gutenberg

Uncivilized nations often entertain the absurd notion that certain individuals can command the rain whenever they please.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barbaric
• barbarous
• boorish
• churlish
• disrespectful
• impolite
• rude
• unconscionable
• vulgar