uncivil
Americanadjective
-
without good manners; unmannerly; rude; impolite; discourteous.
- Synonyms:
- boorish, uncouth, disrespectful
adjective
-
lacking civility or good manners
-
an obsolete word for uncivilized
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of uncivil
Explanation
If you're uncivil, you're not very polite. It's not okay to be uncivil to other people, even online. The original meaning of uncivil was a more extreme version of today's — it meant "barbarous." Now it simply means "not very nice" or "impolite." You might be excused for being uncivil to your younger brother if he's driving you crazy, especially if you've had a difficult day. Uncivil comes from the Latin root civilis, "relating to a society," or "befitting a citizen."
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.
It also reminds me of uncivil disobedience—getting in the way, but using perfectly lawful tools.
From Slate ● Aug. 15, 2025
Yes, I’m biased against anyone who’s that uncivil, especially when he disrespects facts or — worse — is a pathological liar.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2025
“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal,” Mr. Biden said.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 28, 2023
Like Hemphill, many social scientists are making the case for platforms to create a healthier space by tweaking algorithms to de-emphasize potentially uncivil content.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2022
‘Edmund, you are behaving in a very uncivil way towards a visitor.’
From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill
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.
