civilized

[siv-uh-lahyzd]

adjective

1. having an advanced or humane culture, society, etc.

2. polite; well-bred; refined.

3. of or relating to civilized people.

   The civilized world must fight ignorance.

4. easy to manage or control; well organized or ordered.

   The car is quiet and civilized, even in sharp turns.

civilized

/ ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪzd /

adjective

1. having a high state of culture and social development

2. cultured; polite

   a civilized discussion

Other Word Forms

• civilizedness noun
• half-civilized adjective
• hypercivilized adjective
• noncivilized adjective
• subcivilized adjective
• supercivilized adjective
• ultracivilized adjective
• well-civilized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilized¹

First recorded in 1605–15; civilize + -ed ²

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

• civil 
• cultured 
• educated 
• enlightened 
• humane 
• refined 
• sophisticated