Word
civility
Phoneticsci·vil·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈvɪɫəti/
UK/sɪvˈɪlɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. polite and formal behavior toward other people. It means showing respect even when you disagree with someone.
n. polite, reasonable, or respectful behavior, especially in a social or public context. Often refers to the basic level of courtesy required for a functional society.
Examples
“The two politicians treated each other with civility during the debate.”
“After weeks of arguing, the neighbors finally reached a level of civility that allowed them to share the driveway.”
“The breakdown of public civility in digital spaces has led many social scientists to investigate how anonymity affects our willingness to remain polite during disagreements.”
Examples
simple
“The two politicians treated each other with civility during the debate.”
contextual
“After weeks of arguing, the neighbors finally reached a level of civility that allowed them to share the driveway.”
complex
“The breakdown of public civility in digital spaces has led many social scientists to investigate how anonymity affects our willingness to remain polite during disagreements.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'toward'.
Real-World Examples
“Later that day, he defended his passionate plea for more civility among his customers.” “Feeling emotionally invested in a character’s decisions can also influence how young readers decide how to engage with others and treat people with civility and kindness in real life.” “As Lady Mary Wortley Montagu put it in the 18th century: “Civility costs nothing and buys everything.”
This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025.” “Our belief in civility may be too often honored in the breach, but until it no longer influences the way children are raised, gentility will endure, bruised and wounded perhaps, but very much alive.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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