What does "civet" mean?
Any of the small carnivorous catlike mammals encompassing certain species from the families Viverridae, Eupleridae, and Nandiniidae, native to tropical Africa and Asia.
Civet
/ˈsɪ.vɪt/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of the small carnivorous catlike mammals encompassing certain species from the families Viverridae, Eupleridae, and Nandiniidae, native to tropical Africa and Asia.
- Grammar: civet is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: civet cat, ambergris, ambrosia, aspic.
- Useful contrasts: nonmammal, synthetic musk.
- Usage evidence: Have you heard of civet cat coffee? It's a coffee that's made out of cat poo.
How to use "civet"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "civet" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "civet" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "civet" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "civet" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "civet" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "civet cat" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "civet", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of the small carnivorous catlike mammals encompassing certain species from the families Viverridae, Eupleridae, and Nandiniidae, native to tropical Africa and Asia. countable, uncountable
- 2 cat-like mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes wordnet
- 3 The musky perfume produced by the animal; civetone. uncountable
"LEONATO. Indeed he looks younger than he did, by the loss of a beard. DON PEDRO. Nay, a' rubs himself with civet: can you smell him out by that? CLAUDIO. That's as much as to say the sweet youth's in love."
- 4 A spotted skunk. US, countable, regional, uncountable
"I believe other animals are the same; but skunk and civet are not so particular what they eat; anything half decomposed or rotten will answer."
- 5 A ringtail (Bassariscus astutus). US, countable, regional, uncountable
"The civet, Bassariscus astutus flavus, a new host for Uncinaria lotoris.— Several specimens of this hookworm, described by Schwartz (1925) from Procyon lotor, were found in the small intestine of the civet or ring-tailed cat at College Station, Texas, by the writer December 15, 1925."
Antonyms
nonmammalsynthetic musk
Example
"Have you heard of civet cat coffee? It's a coffee that's made out of cat poo."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "civet"?
Common synonyms include: civet cat, ambergris, ambrosia, aspic, attar, balm.
How do you use "civet" in a sentence?
Have you heard of civet cat coffee? It's a coffee that's made out of cat poo.
How do you pronounce "civet"?
Pronounced /ˈsɪ.vɪt/.
Etymology
From French civette, from Italian zibetto, from Medieval Latin zibethum, from Arabic زَبَاد (zabād).