uncivilized
Uncivilized (adj) means lacking the organised institutions and culture associated with civilization. Example: “Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as uncivilized.”
How to use uncivilized
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither lacking a developed society, or simply behaving in a rude, crude way.
The historical sense applied to whole societies is now widely seen as outdated and biased; the everyday sense about bad manners is still common.
Word forms
more uncivilized comparative, most uncivilized superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as _____.
Etymology
From un- + civilized.
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.