1. having a high state of culture and development both social and technological (Freq. 3) - terrorist acts that shocked the civilized world • Syn: civilised • Ant: noncivilized • Similar to: advanced, civil, humane • See Also: educated, refined 2. marked by refinement in taste and manners - cultivated speech - cultured Bostonians - cultured tastes - a genteel old lady - polite society • Syn: civilised, cultivated, cultured, genteel, polite • Similar to: refined • Derivationally related forms: genteelness (for: genteel)