adj

uncivilized

uhn-SIH-vuh-lyzd

adj

Lacking the organised institutions and culture associated with civilization.

"Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as uncivilized."

Rude, crude, or lacking basic manners.

"Talking with your mouth full is considered uncivilized at the dinner table."

How to Use Uncivilized

Learner’s notes

In 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The historical sense applied to whole societies is now widely seen as outdated and biased; the everyday sense about bad manners is still common.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

more uncivilized comparative, most uncivilized superlative

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Early explorers wrongly labelled many advanced societies as _____.

From un- + civilized.

sized prized baptized utilized civilized idealized organized oversized localized motorized mobilized energized