civility

Word family

ci·vil·i·ty /səˈvɪləti/ noun formal

1 [uncountableU]POLITE polite behaviour which most people consider normal 礼貌，客气，谦恭 → civil

Please have the civility to knock before you enter next time.

下次你进来之前要有点礼貌——先敲门。

2 civilities formal [plural]POLITE something that you say or do in order to be polite 客套话；礼仪

We exchanged civilities when we were neighbours, but nothing more.

我们以前做邻居的时候最多也只是客气地打个招呼。

Examples from the Corpus

civility• There is no way to blame this on some broader deterioration of language and civility in our society.• He made no attempt at any civility, and left Elizabeth to do the talking.• Check any narrow-minded seriousness at the door with your urban trench coat and get ready for an absolute annihilation of bourgeois civility.• Our conversations were little more than just exchanging civilities.• Humanity has yet to evolve to a level of civility where arms are not required to achieve detente.• I stood by the door and she sat there, making no pretence of civility, waiting for me to go.• His early comedies might have been taken to represent an unheard-of civility from the back of beyond.• While assuming a pose of utmost civility and cordiality, Caroline is relentless in her campaign to undermine me.• The annual meeting must be conducted with civility.• She addressed her young guest with civilities suitable for a personage of advanced years and uncertain appetite.

Syllable

Corpus

TOEFL BNC: 21057 COCA: 12195

civility noun
⇨ respect

TOEFL BNC: 21057 COCA: 12195

civility

Polite behaviour: courtesy, tact, chivalry...