Words / B1

SIVL/ˈsɪvl/

Civil means to do with ordinary citizens, not the army or Church: civil law; a civil case; civil aviation. It also means polite (keep a civil tongue). Criminal is the contrast in court. Civic is about local citizenship duties. Do not mix civil with civilian (a non-military person — already in the dictionary). Civil servant is a UK government employee.

Meaning

Connected with ordinary people, not the army or the Church; also polite.

Examples

• “It was a civil case about unpaid rent, not a criminal trial.”
• “Unpaid rent was a civil case, not a criminal trial.”
• “Please keep the email civil, even if you disagree, which is the politeness sense.”

Good to know

civil law / case vs criminal. civil aviation. Polite: civil. Mix-up: civic; civilian. UK: civil servant.

New