civilize

especially British, civ·i·lise

[siv-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

civilized, civilizing 

1. to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine.

   Rome civilized the barbarians.

   Synonyms: sophisticate, polish, instruct, teach, educate

civilize

/ ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz /

verb

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

2. to refine, educate, or enlighten

Other Word Forms

• civilizable adjective
• civilizatory adjective
• civilizer noun
• decivilize verb (used with object)
• noncivilizable adjective
• overcivilize verb
• uncivilizable adjective
• uncivilize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilize¹

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

Example Sentences

The biscuits were for her own use, in case the Incorrigibles themselves got carried away and needed to be lured back to more civilized surroundings.

Read more on Literature

Though a fork and knife make one feel civilized while digging into the roast, this ruby glass of Rioja Alta doesn’t hurt.

Read more on Salon

Any civilized society must cultivate and maintain an intellectual class.

Read more on Salon

Norman Allenby-Smith, the chairman of the 650-member Sandbanks Community Group says he has also been trying to find a civilized solution but has so far "failed".

Read more on BBC

Tylor and Robertson Smith agreed, however, that what Tylor called the “essential rationality of primitive peoples” linked the savage past and the civilized present.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acquaint 
• enlighten 
• ennoble 
• humanize 
• idealize 
• refine 
• sophisticate 
• tame