civilize

American  

[siv-uh-lahyz] / ˈsɪv əˌlaɪz /

especially British, civilise

verb (used with object)

civilized, civilizing

1. to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine.

   Rome civilized the barbarians.

   Synonyms:

   sophisticate , polish , instruct , teach , educate

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civilize British  

/ ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization

2. to refine, educate, or enlighten

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Other Word Forms

• civilizable adjective
• civilizatory adjective
• civilizer noun
• decivilize verb (used with object)
• noncivilizable adjective
• overcivilize verb
• uncivilizable adjective
• uncivilize verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of civilize

1595–1605; < French civiliser; civil, -ize

Example Sentences

Heaney was born with a subject he often resisted, and “Digging” turns away from violence to the civilizing necessity of work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though a fork and knife make one feel civilized while digging into the roast, this ruby glass of Rioja Alta doesn’t hurt.

From Salon

Any civilized society must cultivate and maintain an intellectual class.

From Salon

Norman Allenby-Smith, the chairman of the 650-member Sandbanks Community Group says he has also been trying to find a civilized solution but has so far "failed".

From BBC

Tylor and Robertson Smith agreed, however, that what Tylor called the “essential rationality of primitive peoples” linked the savage past and the civilized present.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acquaint
• enlighten
• ennoble
• humanize
• idealize
• refine
• sophisticate
• tame