civility

[si-vil-i-tee]

noun

plural

civilities 

1. courtesy; politeness.

   Synonyms: tact, amiability, affability

2. a polite action or expression.

   an exchange of civilities.

3. Archaic.,  civilization; culture; good breeding.

civility

/ sɪˈvɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. politeness or courtesy, esp when formal

2. (often plural) an act of politeness

Other Word Forms

• overcivility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of civility¹

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

Example Sentences

At the moment, hopes are high for a return to civility in public life.

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Free speech is for everyone, although civility seems to be only for the civil.

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When the person in charge of the nation’s civil rights enforcement can’t muster even a modicum of civility, we’re living in some very dark times indeed.

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And the protest of the students would crushed by policies that would demand “civility” over freedom.

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"We don't believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility."

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Related Words

• comity 
• courtesy 
• decorum 
• politeness www.thesaurus.com
• propriety 
• respect