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adj Uncommon

civilized

SIHV-ih-lyzd

Civilized (adj) means having a well-developed society, culture, and institutions. Example: “The exhibit traces the rise of civilized societies in the region.”

adj
1
Having a well-developed society, culture, and institutions.
"The exhibit traces the rise of civilized societies in the region."
2
Polite, reasonable, and decent in behaviour.
"Let's discuss this in a civilized way instead of shouting."

How to use civilized

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "belonging to a developed society" or, more casually, "behaving decently and reasonably."

UK vs US

American spelling; British English typically writes "civilised."

Easily confused with

Word forms

more civilized comparative, most civilized superlative

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The exhibit traces the rise of _____ societies in the region.

Related words

Rhymes for civilized

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Frequently asked questions

What does “civilized” mean?

The word “civilized” means having a well-developed society, culture, and institutions. In plain terms, either "belonging to a developed society" or, more casually, "behaving decently and reasonably.".

How do you pronounce “civilized”?

“Civilized” is pronounced SIHV-ih-lyzd (/ˈsɪv.ɪ.laɪzd/ in IPA).

How do you use “civilized” in a sentence?

Here is “civilized” used in a sentence: “The exhibit traces the rise of civilized societies in the region.”

What part of speech is “civilized”?

“Civilized” is an adjective.

Is “civilized” a common word?

“Civilized” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “civilized” have?

“Civilized” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a well-developed society, culture, and institutions.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial