civil

Connected with ordinary people and public life, rather than military or religious matters.

• Everyone deserves equal civil rights.
• They chose a civil marriage ceremony.
• She joined the civil service after university.

Similar words: civilian, secular

Opposites: military

Common phrases: civil rights, civil society, civil marriage, civil service

Polite and respectful, even when you do not feel friendly.

• Please try to be civil.
• He was civil to me at dinner.
• We had a civil conversation despite our disagreement.

How to use it: civil to someone (Please be civil to the guests.)

Similar words: polite, courteous

Opposites: rude

Common phrases: civil conversation, civil reply, remain civil, civil debate

Connected with legal disagreements between people or organizations, rather than crimes.

• This is a civil case.
• She filed a civil claim against the company.
• The dispute will be heard in a civil court.

Similar words: noncriminal

Opposites: criminal

Common phrases: civil case, civil court, civil law, civil dispute