civility

American  

[si-vil-i-tee] / sɪˈvɪl ɪ ti /

noun

• civilities
  plural

1. courtesy; politeness.

   Synonyms:

   tact, amiability, affability

2. a polite action or expression.

   an exchange of civilities.

3. Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.

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civility British  

/ sɪˈvɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. politeness or courtesy, esp when formal

2. (often plural) an act of politeness

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overcivility
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• civilities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of civility

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

Explanation

Civility is the act of showing regard for others by being polite, like the civility you showed in speaking kindly to someone who has hurt your feelings. Civility comes from the Latin word civilis, meaning "relating to public life, befitting a citizen," in other words, being friendly and nice to everyone. When you show civility, you use kindness and good manners. You are respectful, even if you do not like that person very much. Civility can also mean formal politeness, like your behavior at a fancy dinner.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

civility civilities

His covert operation to sneak within the city walls was a betrayal of bedrock beliefs about honor and civility, a shameful act that brought humanity into a darker age.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Some staff described concerns about a lack of "civility" between different teams working under stress, and managers who lacked awareness of "the reality of daily pressures".

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

But to me, Dahlia, the real issue about civility isn’t just judge to judge.

From Slate ● May 12, 2026

An activist’s toddler is at the center of a debate about parenting and civility at Police Commission meetings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility, and, at the request of the gentlemen, remained at the instrument till her ladyship’s carriage was ready to take them all home.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

And while people tsk-tsk at the increasing incivility of life, a bath is one of the few civilities we have left.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 19, 2021

Furthermore, the panel ignored half a century of declining institutional civilities.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 21, 2020

“Even the most basic human civilities — a simple hello or thank you — routinely went missing from his vocabulary. A nod was too much to expect.”

From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2018

Perhaps, too, there's an allusion to the cursed difficulty of writing a poem which, without a false note, celebrates the post-industrial English civilities of riverside parkland, sports pitches, strolling couples and kite-flyers.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 18, 2013

They were soon gone again, rising from their seats with an activity which took their brother by surprise, and hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs. Bennet’s civilities.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Related Words

• comity
• courtesy
• decorum
• politeness
• propriety
• respect