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definitions

civilized

[siv-uh-lahyzd]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR civilized ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having an advanced or humane culture, society, etc.
polite; well-bred; refined.
of or relating to civilized people: The civilized world must fight ignorance.
easy to manage or control; well organized or ordered: The car is quiet and civilized, even in sharp turns.

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RELATED WORDS

educated, civil, refined, cultured, sophisticated, humane, enlightened, advanced, urbane

Origin of civilized

First recorded in 1605–15; civilize + -ed2
Related formsciv·i·liz·ed·ness [siv-uh-lahy-zid-nis, -lahyzd] /ˈsɪv əˌlaɪ zɪd nɪs, -ˌlaɪzd/, nounhalf-civ·il·ized, adjectivehy·per·civ·i·lized, adjectivenon·civ·i·lized, adjectivesub·civ·i·lized, adjectivesu·per·civ·i·lized, adjectiveul·tra·civ·i·lized, adjectivewell-civ·i·lized, adjective

civilize

[siv-uh-lahyz]

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 for civilize

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for civilized

Contemporary Examples of civilized

Historical Examples of civilized

British Dictionary definitions for civilized

civilized

civilised

adjective

having a high state of culture and social development
cultured; politea civilized discussion

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 civilized
adj.

1610s, past participle adjective from civilize.

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper