How to pronounce civilize
Say it like SIV-uh-lyze. Civilize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce civilize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIV
- uh
- lyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Civilize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lyzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of civilize
American and British speakers say civilize in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/ in the US and /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIV-uh-lyze.
What does civilize mean?
- American and Oxford British standard spelling of civilise.
Where does civilize come from?
Borrowed from French civilizer, corresponding to civil + -ize.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying civilize
How do you pronounce civilize?
Say SIV-uh-lyze. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/. In British English it is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in civilize?
Civilize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIV). Broken into parts: SIV · uh · lyze.
Do Americans and Brits say civilize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/ and the British form is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.