civilize

[ siv-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈsɪv əˌlaɪz /

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See synonyms for: civilize / civilized / civilizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), civ·i·lized, civ·i·liz·ing.

to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine: Rome civilized the barbarians.

OTHER WORDS FOR civilize

educate, teach, instruct, polish, sophisticate.

See synonyms for civilize on Thesaurus.com

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Also especially British, civ·i·lise .

Origin of civilize

1595–1605; <French civiliser;see civil, -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM civilize

civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjectiveciv·i·liz·a·to·ry

[siv-uh-lahy-zuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˌsɪv əˈlaɪ zəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectiveciv·i·liz·er, nounde·civ·i·lize, verb (used with object), de·civ·i·lized, de·civ·i·liz·ing.

non·civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjectiveo·ver·civ·i·lize, verb, o·ver·civ·i·lized, o·ver·civ·i·liz·ing.un·civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjectiveun·civ·i·lize, verb (used with object), un·civ·i·lized, un·civ·i·liz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use civilize in a sentence

Dos conservative is in denial of the evidence by comparison with other civilised, developed countries.
Accomplices to Murder|Harold Evans|April 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
One week known merely to a few friends as a clever young engineer, the next his name was on the lips of the civilised world.
Uncanny Tales|Various
The proximity of Asia and the remoteness from civilised centres were scarcely perceptible.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
But this is not a humane and civilised nation, and never will be while it accepts Christianity as its religion.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

It was, indeed, not in the character of tenant that the Czar was likely to gain the good word of civilised men.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The Puritan Mission has civilised him and hundreds on hundreds more, and I wish the parsons had done just half as much.
The Chequers|James Runciman

British Dictionary definitions for civilize

civilize

civilise

/ (ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization

to refine, educate, or enlighten

Derived forms of civilize

civilizable or civilisable, adjectivecivilizer or civiliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

civilize

OTHER WORDS FOR civilize

Origin of civilize

OTHER WORDS FROM civilize

Words related to civilize

How to use civilize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for civilize

civilise

Derived forms of civilize