How to pronounce civilization
Say it like siv-uh-lih-ZAY-shun. Civilization has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (ZAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce civilization. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- siv
- uh
- lih
- ZAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Civilization pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sivGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of civilization
American and British speakers say civilization in essentially the same way: /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: siv-ih-ly-ZAY-shun.
What does civilization mean?
- a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)“the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization”
- the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
- a particular society at a particular time and place“early Mayan civilization”
Where does civilization come from?
Borrowed from French civilization, equivalent to civilize + -ation or civil + -ization.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with civilization
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of civilization.
Questions about saying civilization
How do you pronounce civilization?
Say siv-uh-lih-ZAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in civilization?
Civilization has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (ZAY). Broken into parts: siv · uh · lih · ZAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say civilization the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.