incivility
Americannoun
-
the quality or condition of being uncivil; discourteous behavior or treatment.
- Synonyms:
- uncouthness, boorishness, rudeness
-
an uncivil act.
- Synonyms:
- discourtesy
noun
-
lack of civility or courtesy; rudeness
-
an impolite or uncivil act or remark
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of incivility
From the Late Latin word incīvīlitās, dating back to 1575–85. See in- 3, civility
Explanation
Incivility is rudeness or disrespect. A child will probably be scolded for his incivility if he sits with his elbows planted on the dinner table, talking loudly with his mouth full of food. If you insult your friends, push in front of people standing in line for a movie, or in other ways demonstrate bad manners, your incivility is obvious. Etiquette is all about eliminating incivility, teaching people the best way to behave. This noun dates from the 16th century, first meaning "want of civilized behavior," from a Latin root: incivilis, "not civil," with the root civilis, "befitting a citizen."
Vocabulary lists containing incivility
The Misfits
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The Unfinished Angel
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The Comedy of Errors
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This weekend’s incivility could be a sign that golf is losing its traditional decorum.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 29, 2025
Cofidis said a police investigation was under way and that they "strongly condemn this act of incivility," while also calling on the "perpetrators to act with civility and responsibility".
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025
“In other words, the incivility didn’t start with RTO — it was just harder to see when people were apart,” she said.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025
But their repeatedly calling each other liars and bullies compounded the incivility.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2023
That’s entitlement: his mother permits that casual incivility because she wants him to learn to assert himself with people in positions of authority.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
