uncivilized

uncivilized — adjective

1. showing a lack of basic politeness, kindness, or respect for others — the kind o

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

showing a lack of basic politeness, kindness, or respect for others — the kind of conduct that makes a community unpleasant to live in.

Example

Pim found it uncivilized to shout at the waiter over a tiny mistake.

pattern: find it uncivilized to + verb

The way the fans treated the losing team seemed truly uncivilized.

seem uncivilized — predicative use

Common collocations
  • uncivilized behaviour
  • uncivilized treatment
  • uncivilized conduct
  • uncivilized manner
  • uncivilized practice
Synonyms
  • barbaric

    stronger and more shocking, often suggesting physical cruelty

  • brutal

    focuses on violent or harsh treatment

  • unsavoury

    milder, describing behaviour that makes people uncomfortable but not necessarily cruel

Antonyms
  • civilized

    direct opposite; behaving with politeness and respect

  • polite

    refers specifically to good manners and courtesy

  • humane

    stresses compassion and kindness toward others

Grammar Patterns

find something uncivilized

it is uncivilized to + verb

seem uncivilized

Usage Note

Usually describes actions or behaviour, not people directly. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 focuses on rudeness or cruelty within a developed society, while sense 2 describes a way of life that lacks modern technology or systems.

Common Mistakes

He is an uncivilized person.
His behaviour during the meeting was uncivilized.
in modern English, use this sense for actions or conduct, not as a label for someone's entire character.
The uncivilized child did not say thank you.
The child was rude
he did not say thank you.' — 'uncivilized' is too strong for minor impoliteness; use 'rude' for everyday lapses.

2. without the technology, organised government, or education systems that people i

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

without the technology, organised government, or education systems that people in wealthier countries now expect as normal.

Example

The hikers found the mountain cabin uncivilized — no electricity or running water.

pattern: find something uncivilized (conditions)

Kian described the prison cells as uncivilized and unfit for anyone.

uncivilized + living conditions

Common collocations
  • uncivilized conditions
  • uncivilized living
  • uncivilized circumstances
  • uncivilized wilderness
Synonyms
  • primitive

    also problematic when applied to people, but common for describing basic technology or living conditions

  • undeveloped

    more neutral for places without modern infrastructure

  • backward

    stigmatising; best avoided in formal writing

Antonyms
  • modern

    describes places or systems with up-to-date technology and services

  • developed

    neutral term for countries or areas with strong infrastructure

  • civilized

    direct opposite, but also carries the same colonial baggage

Grammar Patterns

uncivilized conditions

uncivilized way of life

live in uncivilized circumstances

Usage Note

When applied to entire peoples or cultures, this word is widely considered offensive because it wrongly suggests that some ways of life are less advanced than others. To avoid offence, use this sense today only about living conditions, infrastructure, or specific situations — not about groups of people.

Common Mistakes

The tribe lives in an uncivilized region.
The community lives without electricity or paved roads.
describing groups as 'uncivilized' is seen as disrespectful and colonial; describe what is present or absent instead.
The uncivilized parts of the country lack schools.
Remote parts of the country lack schools.
avoid the word when a neutral description like 'remote', 'rural', or 'undeveloped' works better.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Uncivilized' describes behaviour that lacks basic politeness, kindness, or moral decency within a society that generally expects these qualities. It is strong but not the strongest available word. 'Barbaric' is more intense: it suggests shockingly cruel or violent acts, often with a sense of disgust. 'Brutal' focuses on physical or emotional harshness — a brutal attack, a brutal prison regime. 'Rude' is far milder and covers everyday impoliteness like interrupting or not saying thank you. 'Inhumane' stresses a failure to show the care that people deserve, especially toward vulnerable groups. Compare: an uncivilized remark is insulting; a barbaric punishment is deeply shocking; a brutal police officer uses unnecessary force; a rude teenager forgets to say please; inhumane housing conditions neglect basic human needs.

uncivilized ↗barbaricbrutal ↗rude ↗inhumane

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • truly uncivilized
  • utterly uncivilized

Phrases

  • find something uncivilized
  • seem uncivilized
  • uncivilized to + verb

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed in English from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') and 'civilized'. 'Civilized' itself comes from 'civilize', which was built from 'civil' plus '-ize'. The root 'civil' traces back through French to Latin 'civilis', meaning 'relating to citizens or the state'. The original idea was that a 'civilized' person had the qualities expected of a good citizen in a city or state — polite, orderly, and educated. Adding 'un-' simply reverses that idea: someone or something lacking those qualities.