civilized also Brit civilised adjective
[more civilized; most civilized] 1 : marked by well-organized laws and rules about how people behave with each other
▪ A civilized society must respond to crime with fairness and justice. ▪ a more civilized culture ▪ a person known throughout the civilized world [=everywhere people live in well-organized and developed societies] — opposite uncivilized 2 : polite, reasonable, and respectful
▪ Stop yelling. We have to be more civilized about this. ▪ a civilized conversation ▪ Try to act like a civilized human being! ▪ civilized behavior — opposite uncivilized 3 a : pleasant and comfortable
▪ With my new job, I'll be able to start my day at a more civilized hour. [=at a time that is not so early in the morning] ▪ a civilized way to spend the evening
b : showing concern for what is correct according to social rules
▪ They lived in a more civilized era. [=a time when people were more concerned with what was proper] — opposite uncivilized
▪ A civilized society must respond to crime with fairness and justice. ▪ a more civilized culture ▪ a person known throughout the civilized world [=everywhere people live in well-organized and developed societies] — opposite uncivilized
▪ Stop yelling. We have to be more civilized about this. ▪ a civilized conversation ▪ Try to act like a civilized human being! ▪ civilized behavior — opposite uncivilized
▪ With my new job, I'll be able to start my day at a more civilized hour. [=at a time that is not so early in the morning] ▪ a civilized way to spend the evening
b : showing concern for what is correct according to social rules
▪ They lived in a more civilized era. [=a time when people were more concerned with what was proper] — opposite uncivilized
