civil
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or consisting of citizens.
civil life; civil society.
-
of the commonwealth or state.
civil affairs.
-
of citizens in their ordinary capacity, or of the ordinary life and affairs of citizens, as distinguished from military and ecclesiastical life and affairs.
-
of the citizen as an individual.
civil liberty.
-
befitting a citizen.
a civil duty.
-
of, or in a condition of, social order or organized government; civilized: civilized.
civil peoples.
-
adhering to the norms of polite social intercourse; not deficient in common courtesy.
After their disagreement, their relations were civil though not cordial.
- Synonyms:
- courtly, urbane, affable, suave, complaisant, gracious, deferential, respectful
-
marked by benevolence.
He was a very civil sort, and we liked him immediately.
- Synonyms:
- courtly, urbane, affable, suave, complaisant, gracious, deferential, respectful
-
(of divisions of time) legally recognized in the ordinary affairs of life.
the civil year.
-
of or relating to civil law.
adjective
-
of the ordinary life of citizens as distinguished from military, legal, or ecclesiastical affairs
-
of or relating to the citizen as an individual
civil rights
-
of or occurring within the state or between citizens
civil strife
-
polite or courteous
-
a less common word for civic
-
of or in accordance with Roman law
-
relating to the private rights of citizens
Related Words
Civil, affable, courteous, polite all imply avoidance of rudeness toward others. Civil suggests a minimum of observance of social requirements. Affable suggests ease of approach and friendliness. Courteous implies positive, dignified, sincere, and thoughtful consideration for others. Polite implies habitual courtesy, arising from a consciousness of one's training and the demands of good manners.
Other Word Forms
- anticivil adjective
- civilly adverb
- civilness noun
- half-civil adjective
- half-civilly adverb
- overcivil adjective
- overcivilly adverb
- quasi-civil adjective
- quasi-civilly adverb
- supercivil adjective
- supercivilly adverb
Etymology
Origin of civil
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cīvīlis, equivalent to cīv ( is ) citizen + -īlis -il
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.
I just read Bill Shaikin’s excellent column contrasting the Dodgers’ option to visit the White House with Jackie Robinson’s legendary civil rights stands throughout his life.
From Los Angeles Times
A former nurse, justice campaigner and civil servant, Freeman entered politics as a special advisor to Labour First Minister Jack McConnell before joining the SNP and standing for the Scottish Parliament.
From BBC
Australia's federal police have ruled out an arrest, with senior officials telling lawmakers this week that they received legal advice Herzog had "full immunity" covering civil and criminal matters, including genocide.
From Barron's
The post quickly drew fierce criticism from Democrats, some Republicans and civil rights organizations.
From Los Angeles Times
The post, however, quickly drew fierce criticism from Democrats, some Republicans and civil rights organizations.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
