civilize

[siv-uh-lahyz]

See more synonyms for civilize 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.

Also especially British, civ·i·lise.

Origin of civilize

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

Related formsciv·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.

Synonyms

See more synonyms for civilize on Thesaurus.com

educate, teach, instruct, polish, sophisticate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for civilize

Contemporary Examples

An Army veteran looks at the fall of Mosul and recalls his own time there trying to civilize the land with guns and money.
Mosul's Civilization and Its Discontents
Michael Carson
June 14, 2014
It means destroying Bedouin villages in the place where Jews civilize the desert.
Daniel Gordis Has It Backwards
Mark Baker
December 11, 2012
Consider it part of the mission to civilize, a necessary part of the process to start solving problems again in Washington.
Vote the Bums Out: the Eight Worst Members of Congress
John Avlon
November 3, 2012
In the old days, colonial occupiers had what the French called “a mission to civilize.”
The O Word: Christopher Dickey on What Occupation Means Today
Christopher Dickey
December 6, 2011

Historical Examples

Was it found necessary to civilize a wild and extensive province?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
It is Art that is going to civilize mankind; broaden his sympathies.
All Roads Lead to Calvary
Jerome K. Jerome
He looked like some old Roman consul going out to govern and civilize.
IT and Other Stories
Gouverneur Morris
Some canting hypocrites are whining for us to civilize the Indians.
A Virginia Scout
Hugh Pendexter
Was it possible to teach them right and wrong, to Christianize, or even to civilize them?
The Story of John G. Paton
James Paton

British Dictionary definitions for civilize

civilize

civilise

verb (tr)

to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization
to refine, educate, or enlighten

Derived Formscivilizable 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

Word Origin and History for civilize

v.

c.1600, "to bring out of barbarism," from French civiliser, verb from Old French civil (adj.), from Latin civilis "relating to a citizen, relating to public life, befitting a citizen; popular, affable, courteous" (see civil). Meaning "become civilized" is from 1868. Related: Civilized; civilizing.

civilize

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}civilize

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for civilize

Contemporary Examples

An Army veteran looks at the fall of Mosul and recalls his own time there trying to civilize the land with guns and money.

It means destroying Bedouin villages in the place where Jews civilize the desert.

Consider it part of the mission to civilize, a necessary part of the process to start solving problems again in Washington.

In the old days, colonial occupiers had what the French called “a mission to civilize.”

Historical Examples

Was it found necessary to civilize a wild and extensive province?

It is Art that is going to civilize mankind; broaden his sympathies.

He looked like some old Roman consul going out to govern and civilize.

Some canting hypocrites are whining for us to civilize the Indians.

Was it possible to teach them right and wrong, to Christianize, or even to civilize them?

civilize

civilise

Word Origin and History for civilize

v.

Origin of civilize