uncivil

American  

[uhn-siv-uhl] / ʌnˈsɪv əl /

adjective

1. without good manners; unmannerly; rude; impolite; discourteous.

   Synonyms:

   boorish, uncouth, disrespectful

2. uncivilized.

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uncivil British  

/ ˌʌnsɪˈvɪlɪtɪ, ʌnˈsɪvəl /

adjective

1. lacking civility or good manners

2. an obsolete word for uncivilized

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Other Word Forms

• uncivility
  noun
• uncivilly
  adverb
• uncivilness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of uncivil

First recorded in 1545–55; un- ¹ + civil

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

His real-life role in the Brexit drama was turned into a movie, “The Uncivil War,” in which Cummings is played as an evil genius in a hoodie by actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

From Washington Post • Nov. 13, 2020

He wrote last year’s HBO film “Brexit: The Uncivil War,” which chronicled the successful Vote Leave campaign, and “Ink,” a Tony-nominated play depicting Rupert Murdoch’s purchase of the Sun newspaper in 1969.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2020

“Brexit: The Uncivil War” is the first major film to be made about Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.

From New York Times • Jan. 10, 2019

Played by Benedict Cumberbatch, the Cummings seen in The Uncivil War is an intellectual contrarian with little truck for conventional thinking.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2018

Uncivil be blowed!" said Mr. Hart; "I want to get my money, and mean to 'ave it.

From Mr. Scarborough's Family by Trollope, Anthony