B2adjective 2K

Civil

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈsɪvl/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈsɪvl/"]/

Meaning of Civil

connected with the people who live in a country

In simple words: related to people and society; polite

Civil in a sentence

• The civil rights movement played a crucial role in changing laws related to equality.
• In many countries, civil liberties are guaranteed by the constitution.
• The civil engineer designed a bridge that could withstand heavy traffic.
• The couple needed to settle their civil marriage before having a religious ceremony.
• They engaged in a civil discussion about their differing opinions on the topic.

How to use Civil

Use 'civil' when referring to the relationship between citizens or the behavior expected in public. It is appropriate in both written and spoken contexts, typically formal or neutral. Avoid using it in informal settings where colloquial language is more suitable.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'civil' as 'society's will' — how we act in our social contract.

Related words

Collocations with Civil

• be
• remain
• become
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• to

Synonyms for Civil

• polite
• courteous
• respectful
• civilized
• decent

Opposites of Civil

• uncivil
• rude
• insolent

Common mistakes with Civil

• 'Civil' confused with 'civic' which refers to activities related to a city.
• 'Civil' used in non-contextual situations such as 'civil war' improperly in casual conversation.
• Wrongly using it as a noun instead of an adjective.

Frequently asked questions about Civil

What does Civil mean?

related to people and society; polite

What is the definition of Civil?

connected with the people who live in a country

How do you use Civil in a sentence?

The civil rights movement played a crucial role in changing laws related to equality.

Can you give another example of Civil?

In many countries, civil liberties are guaranteed by the constitution.

What are synonyms for Civil?

Common alternatives include polite, courteous, respectful, civilized, decent.

What is the opposite of Civil?

Opposite meanings include uncivil, rude, insolent.

What words go with Civil?

It commonly pairs with be, remain, become, extremely, fairly, very, to.

What are common mistakes when using Civil?

'Civil' confused with 'civic' which refers to activities related to a city. 'Civil' used in non-contextual situations such as 'civil war' improperly in casual conversation. Wrongly using it as a noun instead of an adjective.

How do you pronounce Civil?

US: /["/ˈsɪvl/"]/, UK: /["/ˈsɪvl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Civil?

Use 'civil' when referring to the relationship between citizens or the behavior expected in public. It is appropriate in both written and spoken contexts, typically formal or neutral. Avoid using it in informal settings where colloquial language is more suitable.

What CEFR level is Civil?

"Civil" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.