civilize

UK: /ˈsɪvɪlaɪz/ US: /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/ ,(siv′ə līz′)

Inflections of 'civilize' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

civilizes

v 3rd person singular (US & UK)

civilizing

v pres p (US & UK)

civilized

v past (US & UK)

civilized

v past p (US & UK)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

civ•i•lize /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/   v. [~ + object] , -lized, -liz•ing. 

1. to bring out of a backward or uneducated state;
   make enlightened or refined:
   Rome civilized the barbarians.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

civ•i•lize  (siv′ə līz′), v.t., -lized, -liz•ing. 

1. to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil;
   elevate in social and private life;
   enlighten;
   refine:
   Rome civilized the barbarians.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] civ′i•lise′. 

• French civiliser; see civil, -ize
• 1595–1605

civ′i•liz′a•ble, adj. 
civ•i•liz•a•to•ry  (siv′ə lī′zə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj.  civ′i•liz′er, n. 
Synonyms

educate, teach, instruct, polish, sophisticate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

civilize, civilise / ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz/ verb (transitive)

1. to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization
2. to refine, educate, or enlighten