civil
SIHV-uhl
Civil (adj) means relating to ordinary citizens and government, as opposed to the military or religion. Example: “The new law protects the civil rights of every citizen.”
adj
1
Relating to ordinary citizens and government, as opposed to the military or religion.
"The new law protects the civil rights of every citizen."
"The country moved from military rule to civil government."
"He works in the civil service."
2
Polite and reasonably courteous, without being warm or friendly.
"Although she was upset, she gave a civil reply and left quietly."
"They kept things civil even though they clearly disagreed."
"Please try to be civil during the meeting."
3
Relating to private disputes between citizens, as opposed to criminal law.
"The two neighbours settled their civil dispute over the fence with the help of a mediator."
"Theft is a criminal matter, but a broken contract is usually a civil one."
"She filed a civil lawsuit against her former landlord."
How to use civil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with ordinary citizens and everyday life (not military/religious), or simply "polite but not exactly warm."
Common mistake
Civil (polite, or citizen-related) is not the same as civic (relating to a city/community) — they overlap but aren't interchangeable, e.g. "civic duty" not "civil duty."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
civil war
civil rights
civil law
stay civil
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more civil, civiler
- Superlative
- most civil, civilest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new law protects the _____ rights of every citizen.
Etymology
From Old French civil, from Latin cīvīlis ("relating to a citizen"), from cīvis ("citizen").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “civil” mean?
The word “civil” means relating to ordinary citizens and government, as opposed to the military or religion. In plain terms, to do with ordinary citizens and everyday life (not military/religious), or simply "polite but not exactly warm.".
How do you pronounce “civil”?
“Civil” is pronounced SIHV-uhl (/ˈsɪv.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “civil” in a sentence?
Here is “civil” used in a sentence: “The country moved from military rule to civil government.”
What part of speech is “civil”?
“Civil” is an adjective.
Where does the word “civil” come from?
The word “civil” comes from Latin. From Old French civil, from Latin cīvīlis ("relating to a citizen"), from cīvis ("citizen").
Is “civil” a common word?
“Civil” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “civil” have?
“Civil” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to ordinary citizens and government, as opposed to the military or religion.
What is the difference between civil and civic?
'Civil' relates to citizens and the state in a broad sense — civil rights, civil war, civil law — and can also mean polite. 'Civic' relates specifically to a city or town and the duties of citizenship, as in civic duty, civic pride, or civic centre. Civil is broader; civic is about community and local citizenship.
Does 'civil' mean polite?
It can. Besides relating to citizens and the state, 'civil' has a second common sense: courteous and respectful, though often only minimally so. Saying 'they were civil to each other' suggests basic politeness rather than warmth. The noun 'civility' captures this idea of well-mannered, considerate behaviour.
What does 'civil' mean in 'civil war'?
In 'civil war', 'civil' means between citizens of the same country. A civil war is an armed conflict fought within one nation, between opposing groups of its own people, rather than against a foreign enemy. The same sense of 'internal to a society' appears in civil unrest and civil disorder.
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