civility
Americannoun
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courtesy; politeness.
- Synonyms:
- tact, amiability, affability
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a polite action or expression.
an exchange of civilities.
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Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.
noun
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politeness or courtesy, esp when formal
-
(often plural) an act of politeness
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing civility
We the People: Civ
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"Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson
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John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
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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.
Frederick J. Ryan Jr. is the director of the Ronald Reagan Center on Civility and Democracy and a USC alumnus.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024
It follows recent warnings from the Jo Cox Civility Commission, which called for a central unit to address the abuse faced by all politicians.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2024
A year later, he launched the Courage & Civility Award, which so far has given $100 million grants to Van Jones, Jose Andrés and Dolly Parton to distribute to other nonprofit organizations.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 18, 2024
In June, Mr. Ryan announced his resignation, telling employees that he planned to start the Center on Public Civility, a new project by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, where he is chairman of the board.
From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2023
Civility costs nothing—nay, is something to your credit.
From Mr. Punch in Bohemia by Various
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.
