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Civilisation vs. Civilization: Decoding the Right Spelling

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
"Civilisation" is the British English spelling, while "Civilization" is the American English spelling, referring to the stage of human social and cultural development and organization.
Civilisation vs. Civilization

Which is correct: Civilisation or Civilization

How to spell Civilization?

Civilisation is Incorrect

Civilization is Correct

How to remember correct spelling of Civilization?

Remember that "Civilization" in American English uses 'z', symbolizing the American zeal for simplifying spellings.
Shumaila Saeed
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Dec 29, 2023
Imagine the 'z' in "Civilization" as a zigzag, representing the dynamic nature of civilizations.
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Dec 29, 2023
Link "Civilization" with "Modernize," as both use 'z' in American English, representing modern spelling forms.
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'Cities Vibrantly Illustrate Life's Innovations, Zealously Advancing Towards Integration and Novelty': Each word's initial letter helps remember "Civilization" with 'z'.
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Dec 29, 2023
Relate "Civilization" to "Organization," as both end with '-zation' in American English.
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Dec 29, 2023

Civilization Definitions

Complex society with urban development
The Indus Valley civilization had well-planned cities.
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Refinement of thought, manners, and taste
Classical music is often considered a hallmark of Western civilization.
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Advanced stage of social development
The ancient Egyptian civilization was known for its architectural marvels.
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Cultural and technological advancements
The Renaissance marked a significant period in the civilization of Europe.
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Organized social structure and governance
The Mayan civilization had a complex hierarchical structure.
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An advanced state of intellectual, cultural, and material development in human society, marked by progress in the arts and sciences, the extensive use of record-keeping, including writing, and the appearance of complex political and social institutions.
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Oct 19, 2023
The type of culture and society developed by a particular nation or region or in a particular epoch
Mayan civilization.
The civilization of ancient Rome.
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Oct 19, 2023
The act or process of civilizing or reaching a civilized state.
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Oct 19, 2023
Cultural or intellectual refinement; good taste.
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Modern society with its conveniences
Returned to civilization after camping in the mountains.
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An organized culture encompassing many communities, often on the scale of a nation or a people; a stage or system of social, political, or technical development.
The Aztec civilization
Western civilization
Modern civilization is a product of industrialization and globalization.
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Oct 19, 2023
(uncountable) Human society, particularly civil society.
A hermit doesn't much care for civilization.
I'm glad to be back in civilization after a day with that rowdy family.
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Oct 19, 2023
The act or process of civilizing or becoming civilized.
The teacher's civilization of the child was no easy task.
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The state or quality of being civilized.
He was a man of great civilization.
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Oct 19, 2023
(obsolete) The act of rendering a criminal process civil.
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Oct 19, 2023
Collectively, those people of the world considered to have a high standard of behavior and / or a high level of development. Commonly subjectively used by people of one society to exclusively refer to their society, or their elite sub-group, or a few associated societies, implying all others, in time or geography or status, as something less than civilised, as savages or barbarians. cf refinement, elitism, civilised society, the Civilised World
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Oct 19, 2023
The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized; national culture; refinement.
Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners, and with civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles - . . . the spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion.
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Rendering a criminal process civil.
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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
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The social process whereby societies achieve civilization
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A particular society at a particular time and place;
Early Mayan civilization
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The quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste;
A man of intellectual refinement
He is remembered for his generosity and civilization
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Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What is the origin of the word Civilization?

"Civilization" comes from the French word "civilisation," which derived from the Latin "civilis," meaning "civil."
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Dec 29, 2023

What is the difference between Civilisation and Civilization?

"Civilisation" is the British English spelling, while "Civilization" is the American English spelling.
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Dec 29, 2023

Is Civilisation incorrect in American English?

In American English, "Civilisation" is considered non-standard; the preferred spelling is "Civilization."
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Dec 29, 2023

How can I remember which spelling to use?

Remember that American English often replaces 's' with 'z' in words like "Civilization," whereas British English retains the 's'.
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Dec 29, 2023

In what contexts is Civilization used?

"Civilization" is used to describe advanced stages of human society, cultural development, or historical human communities.
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Dec 29, 2023

Why does American English prefer Civilization over Civilisation?

American English prefers "Civilization" as part of a broader linguistic movement to simplify spellings, often using 'z' instead of 's'.
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Dec 29, 2023

Is Civilisation recognized in American dictionaries?

"Civilisation" appears in American dictionaries but is marked as the British spelling.
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Dec 29, 2023

Can Civilization be used metaphorically?

Yes, "Civilization" can be used metaphorically to represent refined or advanced aspects of society.
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Dec 29, 2023

Are there any synonyms for Civilization?

Yes, synonyms for "Civilization" include culture, society, advancement, and progress.
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Dec 29, 2023

How is Civilization pronounced?

"Civilization" is pronounced as /ˌsɪvɪlɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/, with stress on the third syllable.
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023

What part of speech is Civilization?

"Civilization" is a noun.
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How do I use Civilization in a sentence correctly?

Use "Civilization" to refer to an advanced stage of human social development, like "The study of ancient civilizations fascinates historians."
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Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023

What is a common mistake when using Civilization in a sentence?

A common mistake is using the British spelling "Civilisation" in American English contexts.
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Dec 29, 2023

Does Civilization have different meanings in different fields?

In different contexts, "Civilization" can refer to various aspects of societal development, including cultural, technological, and historical dimensions.
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Does Civilization have a specific regional usage?

Yes, "Civilization" is predominantly used in American English, while "Civilisation" is used in British English and other Commonwealth countries.
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Dec 29, 2023

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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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