Civilized: meaning, definitions and examples

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civilized

 

[ ˈsɪv.ə.laɪzd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

social behavior

Civilized refers to a society that has developed a high level of cultural, social, and political organization. It often implies that the society in question has established laws, morals, and norms that guide behavior toward a commonly accepted standard of civility. Moreover, it suggests a level of education and human rights that are respected and upheld. The term can also apply to individuals who behave in a manner that is polite, cultured, and refined, contrasting with wild or savage behavior. In discussions about civilization, the term is often invoked to distinguish between different societies at various stages of development.

Synonyms

cultured, polite, refined, sophisticated, urbane

Examples of usage

  • The civilized world values human rights.
  • They hosted a civilized debate on the topic.
  • Her civilized behavior impressed everyone at the event.
  • In a civilized society, laws are upheld.

Translations

Translations of the word "civilized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 civilizado

🇮🇳 सभ्य

🇩🇪 zivilisiert

🇮🇩 beradab

🇺🇦 цивілізований

🇵🇱 cywilizowany

🇯🇵 文明的な

🇫🇷 civilisé

🇪🇸 civilizado

🇹🇷 medeni

🇰🇷 문명화된

🇸🇦 متحضر

🇨🇿 civilizovaný

🇸🇰 civilizovaný

🇨🇳 文明的

🇸🇮 civiliziran

🇮🇸 siðmenntaður

🇰🇿 цивилизацияланған

🇬🇪 ცივილიზებული

🇦🇿 mədəni

🇲🇽 civilizado

Etymology

The word 'civilized' comes from the Latin root 'civilis', which means 'pertaining to a citizen' or 'of the city'. This was derived from 'civis', meaning 'citizen'. The concept of civilization dates back to ancient times when societies began to develop an organized structure with central authorities, legal systems, and cultural development. The term was adopted into English during the 18th century, reflecting philosophical ideas about the progress of human societies. Enlightenment thinkers often discussed 'civilization' as a sign of advancement, linking it to ideas of culture, arts, and morality. By the 19th century, 'civilized' had evolved further to denote not only the structural achievements of a society but also the behaviors and ethics of individuals within those societies. Today, being 'civilized' can also carry implications about social norms and global interconnectedness, as individuals and societies navigate complex interactions in an increasingly globalized world.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,768 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.