Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense civilizes, present participle civilizing, past tense, past participle civilizedregional note: in BRIT, also use civilise
verb
To civilize a person or society means to educate them and improve their way of life.
...efforts to civilise the children. [VERB noun]
It exerts a civilizing influence on mankind. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: cultivate, improve, polish, educate More Synonyms of civilize
civilize in British English
or civilise (ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz)
verb(transitive)
1.
to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization
2.
to refine, educate, or enlighten
Derived forms
civilizable (ˈciviˌlizable) or civilisable (ˈciviˌlisable)
adjective
civilizer (ˈciviˌlizer) or civiliser (ˈciviˌliser)
noun
civilize in American English
(ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz)
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈciviˌlized or ˈciviˌlizing
1.
to bring or come out of a primitive or savage condition and into a state of civilization
2.
to improve in habits or manners; refine
Derived forms
civilizable (ˈciviˌlizable)
adjective
civilized (ˈciviˌlized)
adjective
Word origin
Fr civiliser < L civilis: see civil & -ize: lit. etym. sense, “to make citified”
Examples of 'civilize' in a sentence
civilize
`Even if there are two or three working to civilize one, it works out.
Tepper, Sheri S. A PLAGUE OF ANGELS (1990)
If a person grows up without controls, it's very hard to civilize him.
Tepper, Sheri S. A PLAGUE OF ANGELS (1990)
Before Tim even got him to school, he was going to have to civilize him.
Pacter, Trudi YELLOW BIRD (1990)
In other languages
civilize
British English: civilize VERB
To civilize a person or society means to educate them and improve their way of life.
...a comedy about a man who tries to civilize a woman–but she ends up civilizing him.
American English: civilize
Brazilian Portuguese: civilizar
Chinese: 使文明
European Spanish: civilizar
French: civiliser
German: zivilisieren
Italian: civilizzare
Japanese: 教化する
Korean: 개화시키다
European Portuguese: civilizar
Latin American Spanish: civilizar
(verb)
Definition
to refine, educate, or enlighten
The Teutonic Knights were invited to Prussia to civilize its lands.
Synonyms
cultivate
My father encouraged me to cultivate my mind.
improve
He said he wanted to improve his football.
polish
Polish up your writing skills on a one-week course.
educate
She was educated at a local school.
refine
Surgical techniques are constantly being refined.
tame
enlighten
Their aim is to enlighten the public about the situation.
humanize
I did what I could to humanize the system.
sophisticate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of educate
Definition
to teach (someone) over a long period of time so that he or she acquires knowledge and understanding of a range of subjects
She was educated at a local school.
Synonyms
teach,
school,
train,
coach,
develop,
improve,
exercise,
inform,
discipline,
rear,
foster,
mature,
drill,
tutor,
instruct,
cultivate,
enlighten,
civilize,
edify,
indoctrinate
in the sense of enlighten
Definition
to give information or understanding to
Their aim is to enlighten the public about the situation.