How to pronounce civilized
Say it like SIV-uh-lyzd. Civilized 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 civilized. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIV
- uh
- lyzd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Civilized 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.
- lyzdGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of civilized
American and British speakers say civilized in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/ in the US and /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIV-uh-lyzd.
What does civilized mean?
- having a high state of culture and development both social and technological“terrorist acts that shocked the civilized world”
- marked by refinement in taste and manners“cultivated speech”“cultured Bostonians”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying civilized
How do you pronounce civilized?
Say SIV-uh-lyzd. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/. In British English it is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in civilized?
Civilized has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIV). Broken into parts: SIV · uh · lyzd.
Do Americans and Brits say civilized the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/ and the British form is /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪzd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.