civility
sih-VIL-ih-tee
/sɪˈvɪl.ə.ti/
Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
Refers to the bare minimum of polite behavior required to maintain social order and peace, rather than deep warmth or genuine affection.
The story behind the word. Civility comes from the Latin 'civilis', meaning 'relating to a citizen'. In ancient Rome, being 'civil' meant behaving in a way that was appropriate for a citizen of a shared city-state. It was the art of living together in a city without descending into violence.
Word relationships
- politeness: Politeness is a personal trait of being nice, while civility is a systemic or social standard of behavior that prevents conflict.
- courtesy: Courtesy implies a generous or elegant politeness, whereas civility can sometimes be cold and purely functional.
- incivility: The direct opposite; rude or unsociable speech or behavior.
- rudeness: A general lack of manners, whereas incivility often threatens public or social order.
Commonly confused with
- servility: Servility is an excessive willingness to serve or please others (being submissive), while civility is simply being polite and respectful.
Word family
- civil (adjective): Courteous and polite; relating to ordinary citizens.
- civilly (adverb): In a polite or courteous manner.
Collocations
- maintain civility
- basic civility
- standards of civility
Example sentences
- "Despite their deep ideological differences, the two candidates treated each other with exemplary civility during the debate." Political debate analysis
- "Civility costs nothing, and buys everything." Historical quote on society (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Letters)
Memory hook
Think of 'civilization'. To have a functioning 'civilization', citizens must treat each other with 'civility'. Civility is the code of the citizen.
When not to use
Do not use to describe intimate, deeply affectionate interactions; civility is about public decorum, politeness, and social distance.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, 'civility' was considered a crucial branch of philosophy, taught to young gentlemen to ensure they could navigate royal courts without causing offense.
Related words
Explore more words
etiquette, considerate, polished, upstanding, suavity, veneration
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