civils: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Professional
Quick answer
What does “civils” mean?
The branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and maintenance of public works such as roads, bridges, dams, and buildings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and maintenance of public works such as roads, bridges, dams, and buildings.
In British English, often used as a short form for 'civil engineering' or 'civil engineering projects'. In some contexts, can refer to the civil service or civilian matters (though less common).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Commonly used in British English as shorthand for 'civil engineering'. Rare in American English where the full term 'civil engineering' is standard.
Connotations
In UK: professional, technical, industry-specific. In US: unfamiliar or marked as British usage.
Frequency
High frequency in UK engineering/construction contexts; very low in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “civils” in a Sentence
specialise in civilswork in civilscivils involved incivils for the projectVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in construction tenders and project descriptions: 'The civils package will be tendered separately.'
Academic
Rare in academic writing; 'civil engineering' is preferred for precision.
Everyday
Uncommon in everyday conversation outside industry professionals.
Technical
Standard terminology in UK construction and engineering documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “civils”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “civils”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “civils”
- Using 'civils' as singular (incorrect: 'a civils project')
- Using in American contexts where 'civil engineering' is expected
- Confusing with 'civvies' (civilian clothes)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's treated as plural when referring to the field ('Civils are progressing well'), though sometimes used attributively as in 'civils work'.
It's not standard in American English. Use 'civil engineering' instead to avoid confusion.
In British usage, they're largely synonymous, though 'civils' is more informal industry shorthand.
Etymologically yes (both from Latin 'civilis'), but in modern usage they're distinct domains.
The branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and maintenance of public works such as roads, bridges, dams, and buildings.
Civils is usually technical/professional in register.
Civils: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪv.əlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪv.əlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the civils side of things”
- “hard hat and civils”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CIVILS = Construction In Various Infrastructure & Land Structures
Conceptual Metaphor
CIVILS AS FOUNDATION (the underlying support for society's functioning)
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'civils' commonly used as shorthand for civil engineering?