civility

American  

[si-vil-i-tee] / sɪˈvɪl ɪ ti /

noun

• civilities
  plural

1. courtesy; politeness.

   Synonyms:

   tact, amiability, affability

2. a polite action or expression.

   an exchange of civilities.

3. Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.

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civility British  

/ sɪˈvɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. politeness or courtesy, esp when formal

2. (often plural) an act of politeness

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overcivility
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• civilities
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of civility

1350–1400; Middle English civilite < Middle French < Latin cīvīlitāt- (stem of cīvīlitās ) courtesy. See civil, -ity

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Explanation

Civility is the act of showing regard for others by being polite, like the civility you showed in speaking kindly to someone who has hurt your feelings. Civility comes from the Latin word civilis, meaning "relating to public life, befitting a citizen," in other words, being friendly and nice to everyone. When you show civility, you use kindness and good manners. You are respectful, even if you do not like that person very much. Civility can also mean formal politeness, like your behavior at a fancy dinner.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

civility civilities

I described it as a relay race: We start with democracy and Piggy, then comes cracking of civility and Jack, then chaos with Simon, and finally war with Ralph.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

Collectively, they are attacks on basic principles and norms of democracy, civility, decency, equality, fairness, and dignity that American civic life nominally rests on.

From Salon ● May 26, 2026

“We’ve seen an uptick in, maybe, a degradation of civility in the airspace,” Duffy said at Newark Liberty International Airport in late November.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026

By the time I arrived in Albuquerque several years on, they were past annoyed, past concern, well past neighborhood civility.

From Slate ● Mar. 25, 2026

What I saw was an upside-down town, small, quiet and peaceable, whose citizens went about with the sweet civility of angels.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

We count on mutual adherence to certain civilities and limits.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 6, 2018

Begin to focus and gain ground on what is required which is political reconciliation and a return to civilities.

From New York Times ● Mar. 10, 2018

Try to imagine Trump in an Iowa living room, with a macaroon in one hand and cup of hot chocolate balanced on a knee, observing Midwestern civilities while talking about something other than himself.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 12, 2015

David knows how to restrain himself, to conform to the little lies and surface civilities that allow society to function.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 25, 2010

They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet’s civilities.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

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Related Words

• comity
• courtesy
• decorum
• politeness
• propriety
• respect

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