vt.使开化；使文明

His wife has had a civilizing influence on him. 他妻子对改进他言谈举止有潜移默化的影响。

Many a rough man has been civilized by his wife. 许多粗野的男人在妻子的开导下变得文雅了。

civilize的基本意思是“使文明,使开化”,可指变得不粗野,也可进一步指变得文雅、举止得体。

civilize可用作及物动词,其宾语常是表示人或部落的名词,可用于被动结构。

在英式英语中，civilize也可以写作civilise。