French word

civilisé

Pronunciation

IPA/sivilize/

Meaning

  • adjectivecivilized

Example

Il vit dans une société civilisée.

He lives in a civilized society.

Illustration for civilisé (civilized)

More examples

Il a donné une réponse civilisée malgré l'insulte.

He gave a polite response despite the insult.

Core concept

A person or society shaped by courtesy, respect, restraint, and social education.

Common phrases

  • une attitude civilisée

    a polite attitude

  • une réponse civilisée

    a polite response

  • une vie civilisée

    a civilized way of life

Similar words

poli: Polite in speech and manner, without causing others discomfort.
courtois: Courteous and properly respectful in behavior toward others.
bien élevé: Well-mannered and considerate through good upbringing.

Definition in French

Qui, dans la vie en société, manifeste de la politesse, du respect et une certaine éducation.

Word origin

Civilisé is the past participle of civiliser, from Latin civilis, meaning 'of a citizen', and it developed an adjectival sense of social refinement.

Usage tips

  • Civilisé can judge a person's overall social conduct, whereas poli more narrowly describes courtesy.

Other meanings

  • culturedadjective
  • politeadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word