civilized

[siv-uh-lahyzd]

adjective

1. having an advanced or humane culture, society, etc.

2. polite; well-bred; refined.

3. of or relating to civilized people.

   The civilized world must fight ignorance.

4. easy to manage or control; well organized or ordered.

   The car is quiet and civilized, even in sharp turns.

civilized

/ ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪzd /

adjective

1. having a high state of culture and social development

2. cultured; polite

   a civilized discussion

Other Word Forms

• civilizedness noun
• half-civilized adjective
• hypercivilized adjective
• noncivilized adjective
• subcivilized adjective
• supercivilized adjective
• ultracivilized adjective
• well-civilized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilized¹

First recorded in 1605–15; civilize + -ed ²

Example Sentences

It’s meant to be more like tennis—civilized, sedate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was also notable as a recruiter of aimless youths who wanted to be tough guys; for them the Nazi Storm Trooper units were the place to cast off the shackles of civilized inhibitions.

Read more on Salon

That covers the parts of the civilized world Putin covets — including Alaska.

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“You want to know what’s happening? Act civilized, act kind, act tolerant, because this is the problem with what’s happening in the region.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“In a civilized society, I don’t think the death penalty should ever be an option.”

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Related Words

• civil 
• cultured 
• educated 
• enlightened 
• humane 
• refined 
• sophisticated