civility

noun

ci·​vil·​i·​ty sə-ˈvi-lə-tē 

plural civilities

1

a

: civilized conduct

especially : courtesy, politeness

bemoaned the decline of civility in our politics

b

: a polite act or expression

… lacked the little civilities and hypocrisies of political society …

—Roy Jenkins

The men briefly exchanged civilities before the meeting began.

2

archaic : training in the humanities

Synonyms of civility

• courtesy
• gesture
• politeness
• manners

Examples of civility in a Sentence

They greeted each other with the usual exchange of civilities.

after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy

Recent Examples on the Web

That civility is a thin veneer. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

If Democrats win control, the first priority must be fiscal responsibility, lowering costs for working families and restoring civility — working together for Americans instead of self-interest or extreme ideology. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

Continue reading … NATION ON EDGE — Stephen A Smith rips 'lip service' on civility after being at WHCA Dinner shooting. —FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

The resolution on civility was written in accordance with a template used by the National League of Cities, Bounds said. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see civil

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for civility

• ability
• agility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility
• humility

Kids Definition

civility

noun

ci·​vil·​i·​ty sə-ˈvil-ət-ē 

plural civilities

1

: civilized conduct

especially : courtesy sense 1, politeness

2

: a polite act or expression