civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsi-vət 

1

: any of various Old World carnivorous viverrid mammals with long bodies, short legs, and a usually long tail

2

: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a sac near the anus of the civet (especially genera Civettictis, Viverra, and Viverricula) and used in perfume

Illustration of civet

• civet 1

Examples of civet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are dozens of jars filled with essences that visitors are encouraged to sniff for themselves; my favorites included civet, cassia, and oud. —Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 4 July 2025

Spelling Bee: entente, nice, citizen, nene, civet, intent, vein, tent, invent, invite, innie, nine, entice, vice, evict Read full comment Further Reading The New York Times Games team is now on Instagram. —New York Times Games, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025

At another point in the video, a giraffe appears, reaching for a treetop, while there's also footage of a civet enjoying a snack and a porcupine displaying its quills. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

The animals are caged and fed the coffee cherries on farms that produce civet coffee. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French civette, from Old Italian zibetto, from Arabic zabād civet perfume

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing civet

• civet cat

Rhymes for civet

• pivot
• privet
• rivet

Kids Definition

civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsiv-ət 

1

: a thick yellowish strong-smelling substance obtained from the civet cat and used in perfume

2

: civet cat

Medical Definition

civet

noun

civ·​et ˈsiv-ət 

1

: civet cat

2

: a thick yellowish musky-odored substance found in a pouch near the sexual organs of the civet cat and used in perfume