Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

civility

/sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.03 in modern English

Syllables: ci-vil-i-ty
IPA: /sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/

16

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

4

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The state or fact of being civilized; civilization.

Archaic; Countable; Uncountable

noun

A civil office; a civil capacity.

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"This is an exact Inventory of what we found about the Body of the Man-Mountain, who uſed us with great Civility, and due Reſpect to your Majeſty's Commiſſion."
"December 1749 Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, letter to his son The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be."
"Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […]"
"Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin."
"For what an enormity is this in a chriſtian realme to ſerue in a ciuility, hauinge the profyt of a Prouoſtſhip and a Deanrye, and a Perſonage? But I wil tel you what is lyke to come of it. It wil bring the clergy ſhortly into a very ſlauery."

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: civil

Usage

Inflected Forms

civilities (plural)

Derived Forms

incivility overcivility uncivility

Synonyms

politeness

Rhymes With

responsibility utility availability capability mobility flexibility reliability fertility hostility volatility nobility feasibility

Questions

How do you pronounce civility?: The recorded pronunciation is /sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/.
What does civility mean?: Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy.
Where does civility come from?: Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.

How to pronounce civility

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Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sɪˈvɪl.ɪ.ti/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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