Synonyms Examples Word Origin
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. Show More
Also especially British civ·i·lise .
Origin of civilize 1595–1605; <
French civiliser; see
civil ,
-ize Related forms civ·i·liz·a·ble , adjective civ·i·liz·a·to·ry [siv-uh -lahy -zuh -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˌsɪv əˈlaɪ zəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ adjective civ·i·liz·er , noun de·civ·i·lize , verb (used with object), de·civ·i·lized, de·civ·i·liz·ing. non·civ·i·liz·a·ble , adjective o·ver·civ·i·lize , verb, o·ver·civ·i·lized, o·ver·civ·i·liz·ing. un·civ·i·liz·a·ble , adjective un·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. 2018
Related Words for civilize ennoble ,
acquaint ,
sophisticate ,
tame ,
humanize ,
refine ,
idealize ,
enlighten ,
advance ,
educate ,
edify ,
elevate ,
acculturate ,
enrich ,
indoctrinate ,
better ,
inform ,
instruct ,
foster ,
polish Examples from the Web for civilize Contemporary Examples of civilize 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 of civilize 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?
British Dictionary definitions for civilize to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization to refine, educate, or enlighten Show More
Derived Forms civilizable or civilisable , adjective civilizer or civiliser , noun Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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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 .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
