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noun

civility

sih-VIHL-ih-tee

Civility (noun) means Polite, courteous behaviour, especially toward people you disagree with. Example: “She handled the complaint with remarkable civility.”

noun
1
Polite, courteous behaviour, especially toward people you disagree with.
"She handled the complaint with remarkable civility."
"Basic civility seems to have disappeared from online debates."

How to use civility

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPoliteness — treating people decently even when things get tense.

Common pairings
common civility basic civility treat with civility

Word forms

civilities plural

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She handled the complaint with remarkable _____.

Etymology

From Latin civilitas, via French civilité; built from civil plus -ity.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for civility

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Frequently asked questions

What does “civility” mean?

The word “civility” means polite, courteous behaviour, especially toward people you disagree with. In plain terms, politeness — treating people decently even when things get tense.

How do you pronounce “civility”?

“Civility” is pronounced sih-VIHL-ih-tee (/sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “civility” in a sentence?

Here is “civility” used in a sentence: “She handled the complaint with remarkable civility.”

What part of speech is “civility”?

“Civility” is a noun.

Where does the word “civility” come from?

The word “civility” comes from Latin. From Latin civilitas, via French civilité; built from civil plus -ity.

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