civic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to a city; municipal.
civic problems.
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of or relating to citizenship; civil.
civic duties.
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of citizens.
civic pride.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of civic
1535–45; < Latin cīvicus, equivalent to cīv ( is ) citizen + -icus -ic
Explanation
If something is related to or benefits an individual citizen, it can be described as civic. People often say that it is your civic duty to vote. The adjective civic comes from the Latin word civis, which was the word for a citizen of Ancient Rome. It is also a root word for "city," so civic can also mean anything related to a city. In your town, civic leaders meet frequently and public input is always welcome. So if you have a grievance about a civic issue, you should attend a meeting — or drop by the diner where the mayor always eats breakfast.
Vocabulary lists containing civic
A Long Walk to Water
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Back-Words: Palindromes
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We the People: Civ
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Civic life must be nurtured and renewed each generation.
From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026
Currently, we have a 2010 Honda Civic approaching 400,000 miles and a 2012 Honda Accord approaching 300,000 miles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026
Civic communities suffer an injury because public confidence in the administration of justice is eroded.
From Slate • Jun. 17, 2026
Inglewood resident Eddin, who chose to not give his last name, said even though his Honda Civic isn’t a big gas guzzler, he has switched to using his girlfriend’s hybrid for longer trips.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
The pleasure of your company is requested at the Grand Civic Opera, January ninth, seven p.m.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
