civility

ci·vil·i·ty

noun \sə-ˈvi-lə-tē\

plural ci·vil·i·ties

Definition of CIVILITY

1

archaic : training in the humanities

2

a : civilized conduct; especially : courtesy, politeness

b : a polite act or expression

Examples of CIVILITY

1. They greeted each other with the usual exchange of civilities.
2. <after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy>

First Known Use of CIVILITY

1533

Related to CIVILITY

Synonyms

amenity, attention, courtesy, formality, gesture, pleasantry, politeness

Antonyms

discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness

Related Words

honors; ceremony, observance, rite, ritual; decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties; addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects; favor, grace, kindliness, kindness; protocol, rules

Near Antonyms

audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brashness, brassiness, disrespect, impertinence, impudence, insolence, sauciness, shamelessness; boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, loutishness, vulgarity; casualness, informality; delinquency, improperness, impropriety, inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency; inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness; arrogance, conceit, presumption, pretentiousness

Rhymes with CIVILITY

ability, agility, anility, debility, docility, ductility, facility, fertility, fragility, futility, gentility, gracility, hostility, humility, lability, mobility, motility, nobility, nubility, scurrility, sectility, servility, stability, sterility, suability, tactility, utility, vagility, virility