B2adjective2K

Civil

UK /["/ˈsɪvl/"]/US /["/ˈsɪvl/"]/

Definition

connected with the people who live in a country

In simple words: related to people and society; polite

Examples

  • 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.

Usage notes

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.

Collocations

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

Synonyms

  • polite
  • courteous
  • respectful
  • civilized
  • decent

Antonyms

  • uncivil
  • rude
  • insolent

Common mistakes

  • '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.