adj
uncivilized
uhn-SIH-vuh-lyzd
Uncivilized (adj) means lacking the organised institutions and culture associated with civilization. Example: “Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as uncivilized.”
adj
1
Lacking the organised institutions and culture associated with civilization.
"Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as uncivilized."
2
Rude, crude, or lacking basic manners.
"Talking with your mouth full is considered uncivilized at the dinner table."
How to use uncivilized
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither lacking a developed society, or simply behaving in a rude, crude way.
When to use it
The historical sense applied to whole societies is now widely seen as outdated and biased; the everyday sense about bad manners is still common.
Common pairings
uncivilized behavior
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more uncivilized
- Superlative
- most uncivilized
Fill the gap
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Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as _____.
Etymology
From un- + civilized.
Related words
Rhymes for uncivilized
sized
prized
baptized
utilized
notarized
polarized
civilized
idealized
organized
oversized
localized
motorized
See all rhymes for uncivilized →
Frequently asked questions
What does “uncivilized” mean?
The word “uncivilized” means lacking the organised institutions and culture associated with civilization. In plain terms, either lacking a developed society, or simply behaving in a rude, crude way.
How do you pronounce “uncivilized”?
“Uncivilized” is pronounced uhn-SIH-vuh-lyzd (/ʌnˈsɪvəlaɪzd/ in IPA).
How do you use “uncivilized” in a sentence?
Here is “uncivilized” used in a sentence: “Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as uncivilized.”
What part of speech is “uncivilized”?
“Uncivilized” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “uncivilized” have?
“Uncivilized” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking the organised institutions and culture associated with civilization.
